ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Ten months after a teenager was critically injured in a hit-and-run crash while riding his skateboard along Winter Garden Vineland Road, he and his father are sharing what their journey has looked like.
It’s been a long road to recovery for 15-year-old Jason Lam — and it’s nothing short of a miracle.
Lam was 14 at the time of the crash and had to be airlifted. About a month after the crash, a 17-year-old turned himself in to police.
Lam’s dad, David, said Jason was only given a 5-to-10% chance of survival.
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“You see a miracle,” David Lam said. “A lot of people pray for him and support him and walk to this point. I thought I lost him already. Every day I look at him and support him, whatever I could.”
Jason’s recovery over the last 10 months included several surgeries and working with a team of physical, occupational and speech therapists at Orlando Health’s Advanced Rehabilitation Institute.
On Thursday, Jason and his dad dropped by to surprise Jason’s therapists with cookies and other treats.
When asked what it was like being back at the facility, Jason said it brought up memories of his time there from the first steps he took, to eating his first meal, which was ramen.
“There was that one time where I started walking by myself again without the walker,” Jason Lam said. “And I was surprised. My dad was surprised. My sister was surprised. My entire family was surprised.”
Jason’s occupational therapist, Kristen Bowen, said patients like him are who motivate her to keep going.
“You know, we’re just so thankful for Jason and his family because this is what keeps us going. You know how hard it is sometimes working in healthcare. You know, having stories like this and families that come back and get to show us, you know, how well they’re doing, it really warms all of our hearts and keeps us going,” Bowen said.
While Jason had graduated from inpatient care, a special bond remains between the Lams and Jason’s team who helped him get back on his feet.
“When we were down, they were there for me. Even though they are not my family, we became a family,” David Lam said.
Jason’s road to recovery isn’t finished yet. He is now continuing his treatment in outpatient and will have another surgery in the new year.
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