AJ De La Rosa

Hey everyone, it’s AJ. I grew up always being the life of the party. I loved sports, and I’ve always been an extrovert. For the first 10 years of my life, my family wasn’t really practicing Catholics, but I did receive my sacraments, and my mom did her best to bring us to Mass when she could. After those first 10 years, my faith started to grow because my dad began attending Mass with us and that changed everything for our family.

I eventually attended Ave Maria University, where I played collegiate soccer and was a two-year starter for my team. During my sophomore spring semester, on March 11, 2023, my whole life changed.

That night, I decided to go to a party. By the time I got there, it was almost over, and I honestly didn’t want to be there. A friend offered me a ride back. It was only two minutes to the dorms, and I thought it would be a chill drive.

But as soon as we left the park, he floored it at 97 mph in a 25 mph zone. We hit a roundabout, the car went airborne, and slammed into a palm tree and a pole.

I was conscious the whole time. My head was stuck between the windshield and the screen. I made sure everyone else was okay, yelling for someone to call 911. But then I felt my back hurt badly. I tried to move my legs, but I couldn’t feel them anymore. Panic hit me. I started punching my legs, crying, and thinking every terrible thought: I’ll never walk again. I’ll never play soccer. I’ll never run around with my kids. Will I even have kids?

Then, in the middle of all that fear, an overwhelming peace came over me. I truly believe Mary was putting her mantle over me at that moment, showing me so much love and comfort. Once I received that peace from the Blessed Mother and Jesus, I wiped my tears, felt no more stress or anxiety, and knew everything was going to be okay because Jesus’ plan is perfect.

At the hospital, I woke up to my parents at my side, a priest at the foot of my bed, and a doctor holding my X-ray. She said, “Sorry son, your spinal cord is severed. You’re never going to walk again.” I asked her, “Can you just give me 1%?” She repeated, “No son, your spinal cord is severed. You’re never going to walk again.” I looked at her and said, “Well, I believe in miracles,” and went back to sleep.

This suffering is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Suffering is one of the greatest gifts God can give, because it brings you closer to His heart. I thank Him every day for my wheelchair and my suffering, because He is giving me the opportunity to be close to Him. Now I am on my journey, and I know for a fact that I am going to walk again because of Him because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.