Cal Fire SLO Firefighter Recovering After Paralyzing Injury
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – A CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo firefighter is recovering at a Northridge rehabilitation center after he was paralyzed fighting a wildfire.
That fire broke out just before the Fourth of July weekend in Tulare County outside Fresno. During the firefight, an oak tree fell and pinned 25-year-old Damien Pereira. He was rescued and as of two weeks ago, was flown from Fresno to Northridge’s Dignity Health center to begin the long road to recovery.
Damien spoke exclusively with KCOY 12’s Nia Wong, and recounts the moment before and after the fateful day when he did not think he would make it back home to see his wife and son.
“I was pulling my hose over another tree, I heard it snap, break, and I turned around to run,” he said. “When the tree first hit me, I felt extremely small, like I was nothing.”
That feeling of entrapment was not the only thing the young firefighter had to worry about. “Not being able to move my legs, and then this lung was punctured I could tell. And I was coughing up blood,” he said.
Damien’s fellow firefighters were able to lift the tree and quickly got him medical help. Despite suffering major damage to his spine, lungs, and upper body, his wife, Klara Pereira, was thankful to have him alive and has been by his side through the entire ordeal.
“And I told him thank you for making it back to our son and I,” she said. “And he never complains about any of it, and that’s a huge strength. And I’ve gained a huge amount of respect for him,” said Klara referring to the hard work Damien has put in with his physical therapists in Northridge.
“I have a good wife who goes above and beyond. All my buddies with CAL FIRE are staying in touch, and the local firefighters down here, just everybody is coming together,” added Damien.
Doctors gave Damien a 50/50 chance of ever walking again, but it seems that the 25-year-old is fiercely defying the odds.
“I’m getting feeling back down to my knees, and I can move my quads,” said Damien.
Despite the many challenges the Pereiras face, they were able to celebrate their son Grayson’s 2nd birthday as a family, and made sure to point out how extremely appreciative they are for the love and support from the community.
