Surviving Together: An Unforgettable Adventure in Puerto Rico

There's something truly remarkable about the bond that forms when you survive an emergency situation together. Our recent trip to Puerto Rico turned out to be one of those unforgettable experiences that brought our group of friends even closer.

We set out on a short hike to El Charco Azul in Patillas, a serene swimming hole with a small waterfall. The trail was rugged but manageable, and after about 20 minutes of hiking, we reached our destination. We spent the next 30 minutes enjoying the peaceful surroundings, blissfully unaware of the challenges that lay ahead.

As the first drops of rain began to fall, we took shelter under a covered area, hoping the storm would pass. But it didn’t. Instead, the rain intensified, and after 30 minutes, we knew we had to make our way back to the cars. With four bridges between us and safety, we were anxious about what we might encounter.

We managed to cross the first two bridges, but when we reached the third, our worst fears were realized. The once-passable bridge was now submerged under a raging river, at least 6 feet deep. With no cell signal and no way to call for help, the situation began to feel like the plot of a thriller. Nine of us were stranded, including three kids and myself, navigating the challenge with Multiple Sclerosis.

After four hours of waiting for the water levels to go down, two more people appeared—an incredible dad from Virginia and his 10-year-old son. They quickly became part of our group, and together we devised a plan to cross the river. We knew that crossing as a chain would make us stronger, but it also posed a risk. If the current knocked one of the weaker links—like the kids or myself—over, it could be catastrophic. So, we decided to cross the weakest links one by one.

When it was my turn to cross, I was filled with both fear and hope. Once safely on the other side, I could only watch and hope that the rain would hold off long enough for the others to make it across. Thankfully, we all managed to cross, and just when we thought we couldn’t endure any more stress, the rescue team found us before we had to tackle the fourth bridge. Their arrival brought a much-needed sense of relief after hours of clinging to rocks in the mud.

Words can’t express the gratitude I feel for my friends, our kids, and the strangers who helped us along the way. It was a beautiful reminder of how, even in the most challenging moments, people can come together to support one another.