A Contra Costa County native is fighting to recover after breaking his neck while attempting to save two children caught in a Southern California rip current. Josh Collette, 42, of Concord, jumped into the ocean two weeks ago to rescue two children caught in a rip current in San Clemente. While t he children made it out safely, the father of five suffered a severe spinal cord injury when he hit his head on a sandbar. Now paralyzed from the neck down and unable to speak out loud or move his body, Collette is still sharing his gratitude from his hospital bed while friends and family rally behind him. “Josh wants to talk and I’ll translate,” said his daughter, Grace Collette, translating her father’s sentiment: “This is hard. This is hard, but what? It’s bearable. Because I’m held up by your love.” Grace Collette, who is starting college this week in Utah, said she is following her father’s lead by staying positive, noting he has always been her hero. “I’m honestly not surprised my dad is such a hero,” Grace Collette said. “He thrives off of helping others and serving others and saving the day.” Lifelong friends in his hometown of Clayton expressed heartbreak over the accident. Collette’s friends bonded with him over the ocean; they founded the surf club at Clayton Valley High School and spent nearly every weekend growing up surfing in Santa Cruz. “Being out surfing, just being physical, is what brought him joy,” friend Danny Leininger said. Friend David Nieman echoed the ongoing support from their hometown group. “He knows how much we love him, all the OG‘s here in Clayton, and we’re praying for him and rooting for him, and it’s not the end of his story,” Nieman said. “Still, you see that spark and charisma and empathy and light that just shines through even though he can barely talk.” A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the family with mounting medical bills and long-term care challenges. While Collette and his family are praying for a miracle, they remain realistic about the road ahead and are determined to face it together. “He’s so positive and he’s gonna push through and make it work, whatever he has to do,” Grace Collette said. “I feel the love, thank you so much,” Josh Collette communicated through translation. “I’m a fighter and I’ll do everything I can. If I can stay alive and keep my kids and keep my faith, then this will be a blessing.” ...read more read less