DOWNEY – In July 2021, the Rancho Los Amigos Foundation’s Board of Directors approved and welcomed its newest board member, actor and singer Jackie Cruz.

Jackie joins the board with the unique perspective of being a former Rancho patient herself. When she was only 16 years old, Jackie was involved in a life-threatening car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury.

“When I first arrived at Rancho, I didn’t believe that I would ever recover; I couldn’t walk or talk and it felt like my life was over,” she said.

Through her time and care at Rancho though, she was able to recover from the traumatic experience and go on to live a successful and independent life.

You may recognize Jackie from her various acting roles as Flaca in Orange Is The New Black, Freddie in Tremors: Shrieker Island, or as Rhea in ABC’s Good Girls.

Jackie has always been very open and vocal throughout her career about her brain injury and her time at Rancho. She often shares that the people she met and the connections she made while at Rancho were the reason she was able to make such a successful recovery.

Physical Therapy Assistant Oliver De La Paz, as well as so many others, motivated and inspired her to never give up and to push through her intense therapy sessions.

“It was so difficult for Jackie in the beginning, but seeing her realize her potential was so gratifying to everyone involved in her recovery process,” shared De La Paz.

Jackie shares that, “I owe much of my recovery to a woman who was also a patient at Rancho when I arrived. Melly Moreno, my now lifelong friend made me believe in myself again and showed me that starting over wasn’t so bad.”

Now as a Rancho Foundation board member, Jackie will be able to provide a patient’s perspective as the Foundation continues to grow and expand its programs and services.

“I’ve never been a part of something this big and that helps save so many people’s lives,” she said. “Going to Rancho made me want to live again and if I can help others feel that way too through being on the Foundation’s board, then I’m happy to help.”

For details about the Rancho Los Amigos Foundation or to make a donation, call (562) 385-7053 or go to www.RanchoFoundation.org