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‘I set my sights on dreams’: Woman with paraplegia graduates from Flagler College after injury

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Hundreds of graduates received their diplomas from Flagler College but one St. Augustine woman who’s also a paraplegic showed any obstacle can be overcome.

Angel Baer is a brand new graduate of Flagler College with a degree in Public Administration.

But she accomplished that after a devastating injury.

“Well, I was taking down Christmas lights out of the tree above my pergola, which is outside by my deck, and I, unfortunately, took a tumble and I broke my back and had to have surgery from my T-11 to down to my L-2, so it was pretty intense, and unfortunately, it’s left me paralyzed. So, I am now a paraplegic,” Baer said.

Angel Baer before she was paralyzed (Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

Doctors have told Baer her condition is irreversible, but she doesn’t agree with that diagnosis.

“Yeah, that’s what science says. That’s not what I believe, but I’m believed to be the unique specimen that’s gonna change that statistic,” Baer said and laughed.

She’s also not slowing down. Baer is working to get other online degrees through Louisiana State University.

Angel Baer after becoming paralyzed. (Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

Despite setbacks that her physical health has put in front of her, she’s not letting them stop her.

“Determination and drive and stubbornness,” Baer said. “I set my sights on dreams, and I’ve had so many of my dreams squashed now because of this accident. I mean, it’s obvious it’s a game changer. My life is totally turned upside down and all of my dreams that I had ever had aspired to have gone away. And now I have to find new dreams. And the one dream that I’ve always had since I was a little girl was to become a librarian and life courses changed how I got there, which is why I’m at this age doing it, but you know what? I never gave up on that dream and I’m going for it. And no matter what it takes, I’m going to get it.”


About the Authors
Aaron Farrar headshot
Scott Johnson headshot

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.

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