He defied the odds after being told he'd never speak, walk, or live independently again. Hugo Huerta is a survivor of a brain injury caused by a fungal infection in 2010. He underwent surgery to replace an aortic heart valve, and the fungus grew undetected for five months before causing blood clots that led to mini strokes and a brain aneurysm. As a result, he experienced hemiparesis, loss of speech, slow processing speed, and emotional and impulse control issues. Despite being told he might never regain his independence, Hugo worked hard through therapy and recovery steps to make gains in his brain and body. Today, he is independent, speaks and writes in his second language, drives a car, owns a business, and volunteers as a peer visitor in hospitals. He also teaches classes on recovery and loves to share his testimony. Hugo is grateful for his recovery and wants to pay forward what he has learned in the process.
