The latest recipient of East Idaho’s Secret Santa is a student who almost lost his life.
Jerry is an international student from Ghana, studying to get his engineering degree in Eastern Idaho.
His efforts have been paying off and he has already reached his senior year.
When he graduates, he will fly back to Ghana and apply what he learned to give back to his country.
Unfortunately, while still studying, he received word that his father has passed away in Ghana.
Devastated, his roommates decided to console him by taking him on a hiking trip, which Jerry agreed to do.
It’ll take his mind off of his grief even for just a few hours.
Halfway through their hike, they found a lake and decided to swim to cool down as well.
Jerry joined them but decided to swim a little bit further.
After some time, Jerry’s roommates could not find him anywhere.
Jerry was missing.
They later found out that Jerry had a seizure while in the water and he went under.
Luckily he was found by two emergency workers who were nearby.
They pulled Jerry out of the water and resuscitated him.
The two emergency workers were able to get Jerry breathing again but he was still unconscious.
He was in a coma for several days because, according to the doctors, he lost oxygen to his brain for around 15 minutes.
When he woke up, his doctors were astounded at his recovery.
His doctors said it was a miracle he is still alive and without any major damage to his brain and other vital organs.
Since the accident, Jerry has been recovering well and gaining full mobility and speech.
He believes he’ll be able to go back to school after the holidays.
Secret Santa heard about his story and wanted to help him.
East Idaho’s Secret Santa is an anonymous donor who gives out $1 million worth of gifts to deserving East Idaho residents.
He has partnered with East Idaho News to deliver the good news and gifts to the recipients.
Secret Santa decided to give Jerry gifts to help him get back on his feet.
East Idaho News’ Nate Eaton surprised Jerry at the house he was living in at the moment.
It was all a surprise.
Nobody knew Nate was coming to keep it all a secret.
Luckily, Jerry was the one who greeted them when they arrived.
Jerry was already walking and standing.
He doesn’t have fully regained his speech yet but it’s getting there.
The first thing Nate did was give him the first box, which contained a $1500 check to cover Jerry’s apartment rent.
But wait, there’s more!
There was a second box that had a $1,000 Kohl’s gift card so he can buy clothes and what he needs for his apartment.
Plus there was also a $1,000 gift card for groceries.
Jerry exclaimed that he couldn’t believe he was given so much. But it’s not over yet.
There was a third box and inside was a $5,000 check to pay for Jerry’s tuition.
Jerry doesn’t have to worry about anything anymore except to get better, study, and finish his degree.
Secret Santa did not just help Jerry get back on his feet.
He also helped a country by making sure one of its gifted citizens fully recovered.
Watch Jerry’s reactions to his gifts in the video below.
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