ATLANTA — Wednesday was graduation day for 3,000 Georgia State students, but for Ignacio Montoya, it represented far more than academic success and a diploma.
In 2012, just three months from realizing his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot, a van T-boned Montoya’s motorcycle. The crash left him paralyzed.
“They classified me as dead for 15 minutes after a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury; nerves ripped out of my arm," Montoya said.
He was in a coma for three months and then underwent many more months of agonizing rehab. But the Cuban immigrant, who arrived in the U.S. at age 9, never gave up hope or his pursuit of a business degree.
The commencement speaker on Montoya's graduation day was Ralph de la Vega. As a Cuban boy, he came to America alone and penniless, and rose to the top of the corporate world.
He’s now CEO and president of AT&T Mobility and Business Solutions.
“The human spirit is incredibly resilient. Don't let anyone put limitations on what you can achieve; not even yourself,” de la Vega told the graduates.
The CEO’s message touched Montoya's heart.
“It was definitely motivating, definitely inspiring," Montoya said.
Montoya said he believes that science may one day enable him to walk again.
“I want to continue my dreams and continue them even stronger," Montoya said
Montoya relished the moment of turning his tassel with the other graduates.
“This day is incredible, marvelous,” Montoya said. “It’s such a big achievement because this is just step one of many steps I’ve yet to take," Montoya said.
Ignacio says his next steps include a master's degree in business, a private pilot license and possibly one day flying for the Air Force.