Retired Los Angeles firefighter Gregory (Greg) Acevedo spent nearly 35 years committed to protecting and serving the LA community. He also coached his 2 sons in baseball, throwing pitches for them all throughout their childhood. On December 15, 2023, Greg went in for a routine shoulder revision surgery but suffered a cardiac arrest, which caused an anoxic brain injury due to a lack of oxygen supply to the brain.  

Greg’s go-getter personality motivated him to get better. He not only overcame his deficits through intensive neurorehabilitation therapy, but has also found several opportunities to give back to his local community. 

After his surgery, Greg was airlifted from Los Robles Regional Medical Center to USC’s ICU, where he remained in a coma for 2 weeks. Greg’s wife, Andi, and 2 sons were told that he had a 10% chance of survival. Despite all odds, Greg awoke from his coma and spent 6 weeks in acute rehabilitation care at Los Robles.  

On February 18, 2024, Greg was admitted to Centre for Neuro Skills’ Day Treatment program in Los Angeles, California. A tailored neurorehabilitation plan, including cognitive, educational, physical, occupational, and counseling therapies, was created for his recovery. 

On his first day of therapy, Greg walked with a walker, had balance issues, had limited mobility of his right arm and hand, and read at a 6th-grade reading level. 

“I knew that I was at the worst level I could be. But if I worked hard, then I’d get better and improve the deficits I had,” said Greg.  

With the support of his therapists, Greg began to make incredible progress, strengthening his ability to balance on one leg, regaining his college-level reading comprehension, and getting more use of his arm. “Cognitive rehabilitation was tough,” he said. “The day I passed the cognition module, and my name was announced, I knew I had accomplished something.” 

One aspect of CNS that stood out to Greg was the peer-to-peer support provided in counseling group sessions and from fellow patients he became friends with during his rehabilitation journey.  

“I found this new community; CNS is a place with a big heart,” said Greg.  

On October 17, 2024, Greg successfully discharged from the CNS outpatient program. Inspired by the quality care he received, Greg began volunteering at Los Robles Hospital. He joined the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Agoura Hills, continuing his lifelong passion of helping and protecting others. Greg also serves as the Assistant Coach for the Newbury Park High School basketball team.  

“He’s come so far,” said Andi, Greg’s wife. “I’m grateful he’s still himself with a little bit of differences.”  

Watch the story of his recovery journey here.