Life as we know it is so uncertain, that we never really stop to acknowledge it until that uncertainty touches the front steps of the ones we love, the ones we cherish, or even more when it touches our very own door... 

For those of you that don’t know, this past weekend on April 18th I was involved in a traumatic car accident. One from which I can say that I’m truly lucky to be alive. After almost a week of intensive care from Orlando Regional's finest, on April 25th, I was discharged from the hospital. Now, I'm sitting here, in the comfort of my home, surrounded by my loved ones, on my way to recovery. All I can say is, thank you my Lord.

My recollection of the events are as if depicted from a movie: I was riding in the passenger seat of my own car, when all of a sudden, my cousin and I crashed. The car crashed head on to a guard hard rail, and next thing I know my car ignited on fire. As if I had been touched by God, I came to my senses. Luckily I had my seatbelt on which was no strain to take off, but the door would not open. As the adrenaline rushed and the enflamed car continued to be engulfed I had no choice but climb out the window. At this point, one of my ankles had fully broken, and the other one was sprained and therefore walking was no option. I was able to drag myself on the ground, away from the car in desperation to save my life. Thankfully, there were bystanders that had already helped my cousin out of the driver's side and I heard them yell out "Is anybody else out there, it's going go blow". I remember lifting my hands and yelling "I'm here, I'm here", after which all I remember is being dragged from my back, further away from the car to safer grounds. 

I do not remember what happened after that, as the next time I was conscious, I was already in the hospital.

A week later, here I am. Thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to surpass this. As a result of this event, I suffered a full tibial fracture with bone through skin rip on my left ankle, a complete sprain of my right ankle, and underwent two open abdomen surgeries in order to save my insides and my life. I am out today, with a long and eager recovery process. Those of you that know me, know that I am not one to be give up, or to let situations take the best of me. But today, life as we know it, is an uncertainty that I am able to comprehend.

As you can imagine, I have been met with a totaled car which quite honestly doesn’t matter to me. However, the sky high medical bills are starting to swarm in and my healthcare is not going to be able to cover it. I am now hoping for this means to be of help. I never thought to be doing this but my own ignorance has made me swallow my pride and resort to this means.

I am so thankful for those that have reached out (I have probably missed a lot of your messages given that my personal phone was lost in the fire). Your ability and effort to reach out and have your messages delivered is truly amazing. I love you all.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. This event has truly transformed something in me as my life will never be the same again.

Thank you Lord, thank you bystanders that helped save my life, thank you Orlando Regional, and thank you family and friends.

Life is a gift. Never take it for granted.

Raul Zepeda


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