Chico Garcia, a 34 year old from Louisiana, was a former collegiate
cheerleader for LSU and went on to become a LSU’s cheerleading coach. On August 27, 2011, Chico was enjoying a day
with friends on the lake participating in water sports and activities and
enjoying some food and drinks when his life was forever changed. On the way home, the boat drifted too close
to the shoreline and crashed into a pier.
Chico blacked out when the crash happened and when he came to and tried
to move, he couldn’t. He tried three
different times to move and when he wasn’t able to, he knew he was paralyzed.
http://www.wafb.com/story/17078742/chico-garcia
Chico was airlifted from the lake to a hospital in Baton
Rouge where they diagnosed him with a C4 & C5 spinal cord injury. This was
a tough time in Chico’s life because he used his body and his hands to do this
job and knowing that he lost that is hard to comprehend. Chico was transferred
to the Shepard Center in Atlanta about 3 weeks after the accident to begin
rehab. He was initially told he would
never walk again and that he would be dependent on a ventilator the rest of his
life. Although there were times when he would question why this happened to him
and why he had to go through this experience, he was hopeful and positive about
his recovery.
He eventually gained sensation and movement in his arms and
legs and was able to get off of a ventilator. He also launched a motivational
speaking career and has turned this tragic situation into a way to motivate and
encourage others. One thing that Chico
has mentioned that has been the hardest adjustment is dating because women don’t
look for a guy in a wheelchair and he doesn’t blame them. Although there are
many barrier in his life that could make it tough to live, Chico has just
decided to be positive and be happy for the life he has.
http://www.wafb.com/story/17078742/chico-garcia
According to his Instagram, Chico began treatment in Florida
where he is receiving electric stimulation as a way to get his muscles moving
again. He is bound and determined to get moving again and is trying his very
best to overcome these challenges that have been set before him. I was
interested in doing a neuro note about Chico because his story was really
interesting to me since I am a LSU alumnus and was a cheerleader throughout my
middle and high school years. I have followed his story over the past few years
and enjoy keeping up with the progress he has made. I think his overall
positivity, hope and encouraging attitude is incredible.
Follow along with Chico’s progress on his Instagram:
@lsuchico
Scott, Jacie. (n.d). Chico
Garcia. Retrieved May 14, 2017 from http://www.wafb.com/story/17078742/chico-garcia
Moreau, Andre. (2014,
August 29). Chico Garcia three years
after the accident. Retrieved on May 15th, 2017 from http://www.wafb.com/story/26409127/chico-garcia-three-years-after-accident
Talley, Deron. (2013,
October 9). LSU Cheerleading coach
motivated Rotary to be positive about life. Retrieved May 15, 2017 from http://www.donaldsonvillechief.com/article/20131009/NEWS/131009619
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