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Burned fire capt. lifts spirit of paralyzed firefighter

Firefighter: “He just looked at me and he said you are going to be OK, you got this and stay strong.”

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ABC30.com

FRESNO, Calif. — Now paralyzed from the waist down, a Valley firefighter talks about being crushed by an oak tree, his determination to walk again, and what’s suddenly, the fight of his life.

Damien Periera is grateful he is alive. The massive weight of the tree crushed his spine, leaving him with a devastating injury.

Pereira has been told by doctors, there is a 50/50 chance he will ever walk again. But he is focusing on the positive progress each day and the encouraging words from another Valley firefighter who endured very serious burns while fighting another fire. Pereira told ABC30, “I remember the tree hitting me on the head and then crushing me down like I was nothing.”

Full story: Firefighter crushed by Oak tree gains inspiration from Fresno city firefighter Pete Dern

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