CHASING LIGHT

Cesar Perez Overcomes Near Fatal Car Wreck to Illuminate the Silver Screen

Cesar Perez (ʼ15), an immigrant from El Salvador and a first-generation college student, knows what it means to persevere.

He was three years old when his family emigrated to the U.S., moving to Arkansas, to Miami and then to Richmond Hill, Georgia, where he spent most of his life. He now calls Atlanta home.

“When we first moved to Richmond Hill, there were not many Latinos there,” he said. “But it was fascinating because everybody thought I was intriguing because I was from a different place.”

While in high school, Perez said he made the most of his time, both because of his interest and because his parents expected a lot from him and his siblings. By his senior year, he was senior class president, he’d taken years of guitar, bass and trumpet, and learned French and American Sign Language.

“Everybody expected really big things from me just because my parents always made sure to instill in us that we were adopted by this country,” he said. “So we had to be outstanding citizens and take advantage of all the opportunities.”

His biggest opportunity came when he applied to Georgia Southern and received the 1906 Scholarship, which paid his tuition in full. He attended the University with his two older sisters who were also his roommates, keeping the close-knit family bond that still plays an important part in his life.

While many students might have focused on a single passion, Perez embraced a diverse range of interests. Pursuing his love for the classical bass, Perez first majored in music. In his sophomore year, he kept music as his minor and changed his major to multimedia communications.

“I’ve always considered myself a storyteller, whether it be through graphics, video or audio,” he said. “I always wanted to bring a story to life, and so that just seemed like the best route for me.”

His love for storytelling and his drive to seize every opportunity led him to become Georgia Southern’s first digital media correspondent for the Sun Belt Conference. He was involved in intramural sports and spent much of his free time at the Recreation Activity Center, lifting weights and keeping in shape.

After graduating, he embarked on a fascinating journey into the world of film and multimedia, eventually landing a job with Moon River Studios in Savannah. It was an exciting opportunity that allowed him to combine his passion for digital media with the magic of cinema. It was a pivotal moment in his life, setting the stage for a potential career of exciting adventures.

Initially starting in digital design, he quickly transitioned into acting roles in the movies he was helping to create. When the credits rolled, you saw Perez’s name twice — as an actor and a digital artist. His performances led to more opportunities starring opposite major artists and improving his acting skills. Soon followed a full-time job with COX Media Group in Atlanta as a video producer and editor for their sports vertical.

Just as Perez’s star began to rise, however, fate brought his plans to a startling halt. In 2018, Perez was hit head-on by a drunk driver, propelling his car into an 18-wheeler, crushing it beyond recognition. He nearly died several times. Every bone in his face was broken. He also suffered a traumatic brain injury, leaving him with a long and uncertain road to recovery.

“My femur was protruding out of my leg,” he said. “I had a brachial plexus injury to my right shoulder, which left my arm paralyzed for two years. I’m a classical bass player. I play the guitar, I play the piano and everything. All that changed as I still don’t have full mobility.”

Georgia Southern University holds a special place in Perez’s heart, not just for the education he received but for the deep connections he made. This profound connection became evident in the wake of his accident. When tragedy struck, the Georgia Southern community rallied behind him in a way that was both awe-inspiring and deeply touching.

As he lay unconscious in the hospital, his family documented the outpouring of love and encouragement through pictures and videos. Perez’s friends conveyed heartfelt messages like, “We wish you the best, dude. You have so much ahead of you. Just fight through this.”

He said the empathy and care demonstrated by his fellow students and the University community kept him going.

Despite the challenges he faced learning to walk and talk again, Perez’s spirit remained unbroken. He viewed the accident as a challenge he was determined to overcome. Determined to share his remarkable journey and inspire others facing adversity, Perez penned a best-selling book titled “Chase the Light.” The book is not just a chronicle of his recovery but a testament to the indomitable human spirit.

“My mom is the one that told me to start writing everything down, to vent all my feelings,” said Perez. “At the end, as my brain injury started healing, I saw that there was a message I wanted to get across to everybody. Like not giving up and at least holding on for one more day. I wanted them to know that they weren’t alone.”

Not content with just a written account of his journey, Perez is now turning “Chase the Light” into a documentary. The film will take audiences through his journey, from the first day in the hospital through the countless surgeries and the arduous rehabilitation process. Thanks to his family’s documentation of what he went through, the project will visually reflect his unyielding spirit.

Today, Perez is still pursuing his dreams, still taking advantage of every opportunity presented to him.

“Georgia Southern gave me so many opportunities, they opened so many doors for me and I took advantage of them,” he said. “You have to see them and leverage them to get where you want to be. I know that if I stick with it, I’ll get there.

“I’m alive. I’m walking. I’m working. So, I couldn’t ask for anything else.”

— Liz Walker