MIAMI (WSVN) - The South Florida high school principal whose legs were amputated after being struck by an alleged drunk driver said he is almost ready to go home, in a press conference Thursday.
South Dade Senior High School principal Javier Perez has been rehabbing at Baptist Hospital since having both his legs amputated after a drunk driver hit him in April. At a press conference Thursday, Perez reiterated his belief that something good would come out of the tragic event.
“Yes, this was a tragedy, but at the same time something good is going to come out of it,” Perez said. “With the prayers that we received from the community and from everybody and the hard work, I think that’s why I’m here today.”
Cops said 51-year-old Marilyn Aguilera was driving drunk when she slammed her SUV into Perez as he watched his 5-year-old son play in a Little League game at a West Miami-Dade park.
Javier and his wife, Maytee Perez, discussed the progress he’s made in rehab Thursday.
“I thank God. I thank the Lord for giving me a second chance at life,” Perez said.
On Sept. 7, the couple first broke their silence to speak to 7News about Perez’s recovery.
“At first, you still feel that you have limbs, and obviously I was covered up, so, to a certain point, for a couple of days, I still felt that I had them,” he said.
“I had to tell him,” said his wife. “I was the one that told him that he had no legs.”
“Since I woke up, a month after the accident, there hasn’t been a moment I’ve thought of the past or felt sorry for myself,” Perez said.
On Thursday, Perez said he is almost ready to leave rehabilitation and go home.
“I think I’m pretty much ready to start the next process,” Javier said, Thursday.
Javier said he is looking forward to throwing the first pitch at the Marlins game next Friday, Sept. 23, and moving on with his life.
“There’s no other way to be. I mean, my whole life, I’ve been a positive person,” he said.
If you would like to get your tickets to the Marlins game, go to marlins.com/JaviStrong. Part of the proceeds will go to Perez’s family.
If you would like to help the Perez family with medical expenses, go to gofundme.com/JaviPerez.
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