A 19-year-old young man from Galveston, Texas, miraculously survived a devastating fire that left him with 80 percent of his body severely burned, including the loss of both hands, his eyes, and his right arm when he was just two years old.
Doctors initially gave him little chance of surviving such fourth-degree burns. However, through numerous surgeries and skin grafts, he defied the odds.
Zaid Garcia, who had harbored a dream of becoming a police officer since he was ten years old, had that dream come true when officers in Texas made him an honorary member of their squad.
He expressed his excitement, saying, 'I am so excited, really, I have no words.
'This is like one of the best days of my life.'
'I told her, mom, I think I can do it, you know, and to be honest I didn't even believe it myself.'
During a visit to the Houston Police Department's Academy in North Houston, Garcia was presented with a junior police uniform, which filled him with joy.
Chief Troy Finner officially bestowed upon him a certificate, making him an honorary member of the force. Officers took him onto their test track to teach him how to conduct a traffic stop, apprehend a suspect, and pull over a car.
Garcia said:, 'I ended up proving doctors wrong, too, you know.
'They thought I could not make it, but here I am.'
He initially visited the Academy in December of the previous year for the presentation, and recently, clips of the heartwarming event resurfaced on social media.
The day's realization was made possible by Isaiah Garza, a social media personality from Los Angeles, who organized the event after learning about Garcia's remarkable story.
Fifteen years ago, at the age of two, Garcia suffered severe burns when a candle ignited his blankets while he slept in his bed. He was flown from Mexico to San Antonio, Texas, for intensive treatment, including numerous surgeries, amputations, and skin grafts, which ultimately saved his life.
He lost both hands, and five toes, and his eyes were so badly damaged that they had to be covered with skin to promote healing. Garcia hopes to regain his sight and undergo further reconstructive procedures on his eyelids.
Following his hospitalization, Garcia's family relocated to Texas, where he currently attends a school for the blind. In 2019, he garnered attention for raising funds to support his surgeries and the possibility of restoring his vision.
Medical professionals note that in cases where individuals survive severe burns like Garcia's, amputation of affected limbs and multiple surgeries are often required. Despite these efforts, survivors still contend with significant scarring and long-term effects.
Reflecting on his journey, Garcia shared, 'I'm sharing my story to inspire people and show them that miracles do exist.
'When I was two-and-a-half my mom took me to bed and [...] a candle fell and it caught on fire.
'I was super injured. I've had so many operations now that I can't even remember. I'll probably have more skin grafts [in the future].
Watching the video below:
