PALM HARBOR, Fla. — A Pinellas County Schools teacher is back home, recovering after being struck by lightning during a trip to Peru in November.
What You Need To Know
- James Fernandez was injured after falling off his bike when lightning struck near him, killing his friend
- The lightning strike occurred while he was on a trip to Peru
- Fernandez faces years of recovery
James Fernandez was riding his bike with his close friend, Yuri Botelho, when the strike happened. Yuri died, and Fernandez was thrown from his bike, injuring his spine. He is now in a wheelchair.
“It’s a spinal cord injury on C3-C4, which it is a complete injury, meaning I have no feeling or movement from my shoulders down. Totally quadriplegic,” Fernandez said.
He was first treated at a hospital in Peru before being transferred to a hospital in Tampa. He later went to a rehabilitation center in Atlanta.
Fernandez is now back home in Palm Harbor, where his recovery is ongoing.
“It’s a roller coaster of emotions. Some days are great, some days are not,” he said. “But I think big picture, yes I am upbeat. I’ve just always been like that.”
His wife, Alexis, has been by his side, along with their two children and extended family.
“I think all of the support we have received has helped us have a lot of hope for how beautiful — we knew we were still going to have an amazing life,” she said. “Like he said, we are really positive people. It’s amazing that he is alive, and we are so grateful for that.”
Support has also come from Palm Harbor Middle School and others in the community.
“These are like the 250 cards that James has received, from his students, from family friends, people we don’t even know,” Alexis said.
Fernandez and his family are now adjusting to their new reality. Doctors say he could regain more function in his body, but only time will tell.
“I have my ups and downs, but overall I’m just so grateful that I’m here and I get to see my wife every day, my kids grow up, that I have my family around me, my friends,” he said. “I think if I didn’t have all that — the support — it’s all that support that is helping me to stay upbeat.”
His family says that strength and a positive attitude will help them move forward.
The family is also accepting donations to help as they transition into their new life.
