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CLEBURNE (CBSDFW.COM) – Alex Wilson of Cleburne is a 22-year-old grocery store worker who survived after he was swept away by rushing floodwaters. But, as amazing as that is, it’s only a small anecdote to his real story.

Wilson lives with cerebral palsy, and already knows a thing or two about beating the odds.

It was two weeks ago when Wilson won again, as powerful storms slammed North Texas. “It was really, really scary,” he recalled. “My face went underneath the water.”

Wilson was riding his beloved yellow tricycle when he misread the rushing floodwaters near a creek. He and the tricycle were quickly swept up. “My bicycle floated away,” Wilson said. “I was really sad, because everything I had washed away with the bike.”

A man who saw the incident was able to rescue Wilson. And the community was able to do even more.

Despite his disability, Wilson spends much of his time — and his money — helping out others. He has become a popular figure in Cleburne, a Good Samaritan who assists the disabled and the hungry. He’s organized cookouts and stepped up to get his sister a purse and shoes for her prom.

“I love people,” Wilson said, “because people help people.”

When he lost his yellow ride, the community that Wilson loves so much made their own heart-warming gesture, raising more than $3,000 in less than 12 hours and getting him a new tricycle. “That made me feel so good,” Wilson said. “It is like they really care about me.”

Wilson is set to get his new tricycle in about two weeks. But the community is not finished yet. They have already begun raising money to get Wilson a car.

“Every day is a new day,” Wilson said. “God had great plans for me.”

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