Consequence of a Single Choice, A Tragedy, Coma, and a Second Chance
Jeff and Chris met Russell Pondo in June when he attended a program at a nearby FDJJ Facility in Tampa. Russell volunteers with the Chaplaincy program at the facility and works with this group of youth weekly. Following a brief introduction and first meeting at the facility, Jeff called Russell the next day and began speaking to him about future opportunities where he might join Upward Bound to share his testimony. Three weeks later, he spent three days with Jeff, sharing in six facilities. Russell is a great addition to our team. His story is significant to these youth and his love and commitment to God will be a blessing to many.
Russell Pondo was living the dream of an American teen: strong family, good friends, sports, and popularity. An all-star high school athlete without a college scholarship, in addition to a recent breakup with his girlfriend, began a series of unfortunate events to cause a rebellion that changed everything. Russell hit rock bottom at age 20, the night of a fatal car accident, June 24, 1999. Driving home from a party, under the influence, his 26 year old drunken passenger lifted the center console emergency brake as Russell reached speeds up to 80 MPH. It was a rainy night and he lost control of his car when the rear wheels locked up on the wet surface. The car began to fishtail before flipping several times, landing in an orange grove. Russell was ejected from the car and the passenger that lifted the brake was killed by decapitation. Russell began a fight for his life after an EMS worker performed an emergency tracheotomy at the scene of the accident due to the collapsing of both his lungs. In a coma for almost six months, it was predicted he would remain in a permanent vegetative state the rest of his life. Everything changed when he unexpectedly regained consciousness six months later with the mental capacity of a two month old. Russell Pondo began his personal journey of relearning every phase of life, beginning as an infant, in diapers. At 6’4″, Russell went from 185 to 85 pounds and continued to defy the odds against him daily.
On Palm Sunday, a year later, Russell had just learned to walk with a walker when he responded to the invitation given for those struggling with their past. Hobbling to the front of the church, he fell to his knees, unable to take another step. Finally in the position God wanted all along, he made a promise that day, “God, if you can give me a second chance, the least I can do is live the rest of mine for You.” Though Russell had little to drink the night of the accident, he was above the legal limit in the state of Florida. Facing 30 years to life if convicted, two of his friends in the car that night, brothers to the one in passengers seat, testified against their inebriated brother who had lifted the console emergency brake that could have killed each of them.
Following four attempts to take the case to trial, two years later the judge kicked it out of his courtroom and concluded that it be settled by committee. The committee met and fifteen minutes later the trumped up charges were resolved to two misdemeanors of reckless driving and a DUI. Predicted he would not walk, talk or regain the mental capacity to learn, Russell graduated college in 2008 with a degree in Church Leadership and Ministry. Russell Pondo brings more than a story of survival… he demonstrates God’s grace, mercy and love. His limp is a constant reminder of the consequence of a single choice. A choice he will never forget and a second chance one could never deserve.
