Little Girl Is Family’s Holiday Miracle One Year After Crash

For little girls, 8-years-old is typically the year of friends, barbies, and games. Venice Grijalva, 8, of Las Cruces loves all those things, but a year ago her life changed in an instant. Physical, occupational and speech therapy have become part of her everyday life as she has become her family’s little miracle.

“Venice, do you have any 3’s?’ – ‘Go fish.'”

Surrounded by her sisters and cousins, the Grijalva household is filled with lots of laughter as everyone plays Venice’s favorite game, Go Fish, one that she usually wins.

“We all gathered here just to give thanks, to give thanks for Venice,” Rosie Grijalva, Venice’s mother, said.

This holiday season takes on a whole new meaning for the Grijalva family. Almost one year ago, they did not know if Venice would even be alive.

“It was like a parent’s nightmare,” Rosie said.

Photographs of the horrific crash are cold reminders of the night that changed everything for Venice. She was riding in the passenger seat of her mom’s car when police say, an 18-year-old driving a truck broadsided the vehicle, trapping Venice inside.

“I was calling her name and she wouldn’t respond,” David Grijalva, Venice’s father, said.

Venice spent the next 99-days in a hospital, her family right by her side.

“Praying, and hoping and wishing that she would wake up,” Rosie said.

A picture taken after the crash shows Venice in a coma, her head shaved, and her skull cut open to relieve brain swelling from severe head trauma. Now, one year later, she continues a long road to recovery.

“How to walk, how to talk and how to eat,” Rosie said.

Venice cannot tolerate liquids; instead, they are injected through tubes. And talking is difficult because of her brain injury. But when asked what she is most thankful for, she says, everyone around her.

“The people praying for me,” Venice said.

Strong words beyond her years from a little girl who has become an inspiration to all who know her.

“She smiles everyday,” Rosie said. “She gives me hope.”

And this holiday, her father said his daughter was his only wish.

“We call her daddy’s special gift,” David said. “And this is our gift for this holiday season.”