Survivors Of Traumatic Injuries Celebrate Life

HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) - Once at death's door, the survivors of traumatic injuries had the chance to meet and thank the team that made their survival possible today at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.

On their annual Trauma Awareness Day, more than a dozen survivors celebrated survival, reuniting with the hospital's trauma teams as well as EMS representatives from the community.

Memorial Regional is one of only seven level 1 trauma centers statewide treating the most serious life-threatening injuries.

"I'm happy to be here, I'm alive, I'm a survivor," said an emotional Trevor Mais.

"Trauma is inevitable.  It's one of those events that's going to happen to all of us," said Trauma Program Associate Director Andrew Rosenthal.

It happened to Hollywood firefighter/paramedic Derrick Avilez who nearly died in a skim-boarding accident at the beach.

"The surgeon's hands were so perfect and here I am," said Avilez.  Avilez says because of the skill of the surgeon he's convinced he will walk again.

Sam Jamal is another walking miracle after a bullet damaged his lungs and lodged in his liver.  Jamal says it happened in Aventura a year ago.

"My friend was playing with his gun and didn't realize there was a bullet in the chamber and it hit me," said Jamal.

And then there's pilot Pedro Amieiro.

He was landing at North Perry Airport in 2007 when he crashed.  Every bone in his body was broken and his head was crushed.

"I feel good, I've come quite a ways," said Amieiro.

"It's a testament to his mother and his age. It's persistence, resilience and whatever you want to call it," said trauma specialist Dr. Seong Lee.