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SYLVESTER, Ga. (WALB) – One year after a tragic crash on I-75 nearly claimed her life, 23-month-old Royalty is showing the world what resilience truly looks like.

One year ago today, Royalty Johnson was returning home to Worth County when a semi-truck ran into the back of the car that she was riding in. Royalty was ejected and experienced a number of medical issues including bleeding on her brain.

Her father says when he received the call about his daughter, he thought he’d lost her.

“I really wasn’t even thinking clearly. She went into a coma which reset her and started her over like she was a newborn baby. But the hardest part was the feeding tube because she learned what it was, and she pulled it out because she didn’t like it. but we didn’t have no other way to feed her, so I had to put it back down her throat and that was something that bothered me, I still think about that to this day.” says her father, Conterrious Johnson.

Today, her family is celebrating milestones they once thought would be impossible. Royalty is not only walking and talking —She’s also playing the piano.

Adversity will come in life, but this 23-month-old is showing us what resilience looks like.

WALB’s Ashanti Isaac will share more on Royalty’s powerful journey and her family’s message of hope in upcoming broadcasts.

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