The family of a young woman who fell into a coma after falling off a South Florida bridge during a run says they're not giving up on her recovery.
Police found 24-year-old Cristina Gomez lying in a pool of blood under a bridge in the 15000 block of Southwest 104th Street on May 12th of last year. Her father, David Gomez, tells NBC 6 he knew something was wrong that day when Cristina didn't answer her phone.
"She didn't call back, and I was calling her," Gomez says. "And eventually, someone picked up the phone, and it was a police officer."
Cristina, a senior at Florida International University at the time of the accident, has been in a minimally conscious state ever since.
"The most challenging is to see her like this," says Gomez.
The family says Cristina has come a long way since last May, and that she does show some signs of improvement.
"We know for a fact that she does listen, she can see," Gomez says. "She's gotten better. She hears music and recognizes it."
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In particular, Gomez says his daughter responds to Journey's classic 1980's power ballad "Don't Stop Believin'."
"That's one of her favorite songs," Gomez says with a smile.
Cristina requires round-the-clock care. The Gomez family recognizes that while they are able to provide the care, many other families cannot.
Through their "Cristina Strong" organization, the family holds fundraisers to raise awareness and money for other families in similar circumstances.
On Sunday, the family is planning a motorcycle ride fundraiser to the Florida Keys at 9 a.m. There is also a 5K run planned for November 1st.
While it's challenging, the family says they will never give up on their daughter's recovery.
"I know she's not going to be like this forever," says Gomez. "I know one day we're going to get our Cristina back."
For more information, visit CristinaStrong.org.
