David Francisco touched the hearts of millions on the “7American Idol” season 16 premiere. However, it was not his singing that broke so many hearts; it was his story.
Francisco is a Knoxville, Tenn., native where he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, he decided to travel throughout Europe to better understand God’s call on his life. While traveling along the Camino de Santiago, he realized that he would fully pursue a career in the music industry.
With this newfound calling, Francisco decided to attend Blackbird Academy in Nashville, Tenn., to enhance his skills in producing and engineering. After living in Nashville for not even three weeks, tragedy struck on April 27, 2016.
While riding his bicycle on his way home from school, Francisco was suddenly t-boned by a distracted driver that ran through a red light at an intersection. Coming into contact with the car’s windshield, Francisco launched into the air and then came crashing down onto the pavement. The impact left Francisco with a shattered back, a severely damaged spinal cord and a torn left forearm.
While in the hospital, Francisco was told that he would probably never walk again because of the extent of the spinal cord injury. But because of his faith in God, Francisco believed that with patience and hard work he would once again regain the ability to walk.
Over the next year, Francisco participated in full-time rehab. During the rehab, he maintained a positive outlook on the entire situation. In every exercise, he made sure to give everything his body could handle. This determination led Francisco to regain function in his legs, and he can now walk with the help of forearm braces.
On June 3, 2017, Francisco took the stage once again for the first time since his accident at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville. Francisco took the stage amazed, because he performed to a packed house.
Francisco is now continuing to pursue his career as he prepares to perform in Hollywood for “American Idol.”