Murrieta Toddler Awake From Coma After Near Drowning

MURRIETA, CA -- A Murrieta toddler who nearly drowned in a community pool in March is awake from a coma and now in a rehabilitation program, loved ones said. Ford Velasquez, 2, was taken to Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego after the incident and was in a coma for nearly two months.

As of Monday, Ford is focusing on cognitive development, according to a GoFundMe page created for the family.

"He is essentially a brand new baby all over again," the GoFundMe page said. "He is cognitively that of a newborn baby. His next mountains to crumble are that of being able to track us with his eyes more consistently, to be able to respond to commands, and tolerate his physical therapy and speech therapy routines to help him progress, and eventually follow the course of a baby be able to swallow better to assist with eating and tolerating food, and sit up, crawl, and one day walk again."

Ford's journey has touched hearts across Southwest Riverside County, including car dealership Gosch Ford Temecula, which created a Facebook video about the boy. The video urges the public to donate to Ford's family who has been staying at the Ronald McDonald campus in San Diego to be near Ford.

Loved ones are also hosting a lemonade stand fundraiser for Ford, said David Stephan, a family friend.

"(Parents) Frank and Sabrina are being very strong and they are very hopeful that Fordy will continue to progress," Stephan said. "Any help that the community can provide by way of prayers or support via today's lemonade stands and GoFundMe are very much appreciated."

For more information or to donate, go to gofundme.com.

--Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner/Photo via GoFundMe