Destiny Fernandez, a vibrant 19-year-old with a love for driving and music from Roswell, New Mexico, faced an unimaginable tragedy when a car accident claimed the life of her mother and left her severely injured. The sudden loss and the injuries she sustained left her in a coma, and waking up in the ICU, she found herself dependent on others for even the most basic tasks.

After her initial care, Destiny chose to receive rehabilitation at Trustpoint Rehabilitation Hospital of Lubbock (TRHL) because she felt like it offered the services she needed to maximize her recovery. Her main goals were to learn to walk again and to relearn daily living skills like getting dressed and showering.

In the months since the accident, Destiny has made remarkable progress. With the support of the TRHL staff, she has gone from being unable to walk or manage daily activities to using a walker. Her gratitude for their help is immense, as is her resolve to rebuild her life.

“Thank you to everyone who was kind to me and gave me hope that I would get better and walk again,” she says. “I’m very grateful for the help I got here. I’m more stable, and I can do much more now. I’m looking forward to getting back to how I was before the crash.”

Destiny is moving forward with the memory of her mother guiding her.

“Even though she is not here, life continues for my dad, sister, and me,” Destiny says. “I’m going to continue to do better not only for me, but for her.”