A Hollywood firefighter who was injured in a skimboarding accident more than a year ago will soon be returning to work.

Derek Avilez was enjoying a day with his family at the beach in September 2010 when he fell off his skimboard and broke his neck. Doctors believed he would be paralyzed for the rest of his life. On the one year anniversary of the accident, Avilez was able to return to the beach where the accident happened, and walk along the shoreline.

Avilez expects to return to "light duty" with the Hollywood Fire Department starting on January 23rd.