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Irving student makes miracle recovery from car accident

DALLAS - Misael Rico is home with his family after spending more than two months in the hospital, recovering from a serious accident that temporarily left him in a coma.

The six-year-old boy was released from Our Children's House at Baylor Tuesday morning, but before he left, he wanted to say goodbye.

Wearing a cowboy hat and boots, the first-grader walked down the halls, waving, hugging and thanking all the medical team who helped him.

"They are my friends and they help me a lot, and walk," Misael said.

The boy's progress has left his parents overwhelmed with joy.

"My son, he's leaving this place, and he's eating, walking," said Paola Rico, Misael's mother. "It's amazing!"

Paramedics rushed Misael to the hospital on January 13 when a car slammed into him and his mother as they were walking on the sidewalk in front of Farine Elementary School in Irving.

Misael spent 30 days at Children's Medical Center Dallas and was then transferred to Our Children's House.

Three weeks ago, he still faced an uncertain road to recovery.

"He had a very traumatic brain injury with fractures. He wasn't speaking, couldn't swallow effectively, couldn't eat, and he wasn't walking, either," said Dr. Casey Drake. "He just made such a dramatic improvement in just the last three weeks. He exceeded expectations."

Misael still needs more therapy and has to wear an eye patch for his double vision, but he told News 8, he feels great and is anxious to get back to school.

Students, teachers and parents have not forgotten about him. They have raised raised more than $40,000 for his family, because they do not have medical insurance.

Misael's mother also injured her leg in the crash.

The driver involved in the incident was not charged. Police determined it was an accident.

"We don't have the words to say 'thank you' to all the people who were working around Misael - students, parents - around Irving. They were with us," Paola Rico said. "We don't see them in the hospital, but we feel them with us."

Farine Elementary will be holding a "welcome back" pep rally for Misael Monday morning at 8 o'clock.

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