PDHS Sophomore to walk in Rose Parade
Palm Desert High School Sophomore Adrian Grajeda lost his leg when he was 10. Now, more than five years since the tragic collision, Grajeda will represent the LifeStream Blood Bank in the 2019 Rose Parade.
He will be one of eight people who walk the 5-1/2 mile parade route down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena alongside the Donate Life float.
On October 2013, Grajeda suffered injuries to his right leg from debris when an elderly motorist crashed his car crashed through a fence at Palm Desert’s Lincoln Elementary School.
Grajeda was struck by the vehicle and debris while playing soccer during recess. He required emergency blood transfusions to be stabilized for surgery.
“I remember like it was yesterday the ride to the hospital with Adrian, and how much blood he needed just to live,” said Eli Grajeda, Adrian’s father. “We are so thankful for generous LifeStream blood donors. For Adrian to represent them in the Rose Parade is humbling. He takes that responsibility very seriously.”
Adrian’s leg was amputated below the knee. After multiple surgeries and grueling physical therapy, he received a fitted prosthetic leg and was able to return to living an active life.
Months after the accident, he was able to fulfill his goal of returning to the soccer field. In the five years since he has played softball and even acted as Chief of Indio Police for a day. In 2018, he was the starting Safety on the PDHS junior varsity football team.
Watch: 4 years after losing his leg, valley student pursues football dreams
“I’m excited to be part of the Rose Parade and represent LifeStream blood donors, who saved my life,” Adrian said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
Download the KESQ & CBS Local 2 app on iTunes or Google Play for up-to-the-minute breaking news alerts & more
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
Find us on Facebook: KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2
Follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates: @KESQ & @Local2
We’re on Instagram! @KESQ_News_Channel_3 & @CBSLocal2
Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
