Teen boy, 16, blinded in horror blaze hopes for miracle surgery to help him see female best friend’s ‘beauty’
A TEEN boy blinded in a horror blaze hopes miracle surgery will help him see his female best friend for the first time.
Zaid Garcia, 16, who miraculously survived 80 per cent burns to his body, said of pal Julia: “I’d like to see her beauty.”
The schoolboy, from Galveston in Texas, wasn’t expected to survive the devastating house fire that injured him as a two-year-old child.
Toddler Zaid was living in his native Mexico when a candle sparked a huge inferno – which engulfed the blankets in his crib as he slept.
The flames left him with such traumatic injuries that he has since undergone dozens of operations – including amputations of both hands.
But now, the positive teenager said he remains hopeful that procedures to restore his vision will allow him to see his friends and family.
FUNDRAISING HOPES
He is now raising money to pay for the expensive series of ops to remove a layer of skin that covers his eyes and reconstruct his eyelids.
Zaid wrote on his GoFundMe page: “I’m sharing my story to inspire people and show them that miracles do exist.
“When I was two-and-a-half my mum took me to bed and… a candle fell and it caught on fire.
“I was super injured. I’ve had so many operations now that I can’t even remember.
“I’ll probably have more skin grafts (in the future).
“They amputated both my hands and they took the fingers too.
“I have both my legs and feet.”
Zaid added: “I have five toes on the left and on the right, I have one toe. I don’t walk normally. I don’t step flat.
“The doctors shut my eyes under the skin.
“I don’t know why they didn’t just take them out – probably because they thought I would see in the future.
“So my next hope is to get my vision back. I’ve been blind since the accident.
The first thing I want to see would be one of my friends. My best friend from school, Julia. I’d like to see her beauty, I guess
Zaid Garcia
“If I was to have this surgery it would be the first time I’d see the world properly (since before the fire).
‘To be able to see my family again after 14 years will be good.
“I think it’ll be cool. The first thing I want to see would be one of my friends.
“My best friend from school, Julia. I’d like to see her beauty, I guess.”
SUICIDE ATTEMPT
Zaid has struggled with how people perceive his appearance – and once tried to take his own life because of the rejection he’s suffered.
But mum Otaida Carillo has helped him overcome his anxiety and express himself through singing, poetry and drawing.
Zaid added: “My parents say to me ‘Be good’ when I go to school.
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“They are very supportive and encourage me to carry on as if nothing happened.”
Zaid’s fundraising has smashed its initial $50,000 target – reaching over $300,000.
To find out more or donate visit the GoFundMe page here.