October 28 marks one year since a car crash left a teenager severely injured. Niko DiNovo, 16 years old at the time, has been undergoing surgeries and treatment at Westchester Medical Center’s Burn Unit since that day.

Niko DiNovo is a fighter.

“Niko just inspires everybody. He can get through this. We can get through anything,” said Alicia DiNovo, Niko’s mom.

"I’ve been an RN [registered nurse] for 36 years. I have never seen a patient as tough as him,” said Tony D’Alberto, one of Niko’s nurses.

The 17-year-old has been confined to a hospital bed for an entire year. The odds were against him, but for 365 days. he’s shown the strength needed to recover.

“You shouldn’t take any day for granted,” said Michael DiNovo, Niko’s brother.

On October 28, 2016. Niko was riding in a car when the driver lost control and slammed into a truck parked outside Blessings Tavern in Colonie. The car, and Blessings, burst into flames.

Niko suffered burns to 95 percent of his body. Police believe the driver of the car was under the influence. 

“He remembers the whole accident, the whole situation,” said Michael DiNovo.

When Niko arrived at Westchester Medical Center’s Burn Unit, doctors gave him a 1 percent chance of survival. 

"The dressings, we do them twice a day in the beginning, so you’re talking 10 to 12 hours out of the day for a dressing change,” said D’Alberto.

D’Alberto has been by Niko’s side through 25 surgeries. 

“He’s just incredible. He gives us strength,” said D’Alberto.

Doctors have had success with specialized skin grafts to heal Niko’s burns, while a physical therapist works with him to maintain his range of motion. 

“They have a big beach ball that he’ll box with; we have a ball that we’ll throw back and forth with him,” his brother said.

"A lot of our job is to motivate him to want him to participate, to give him light at the end of the tunnel,” said Sarah Duch, Niko’s physical therapist.

Niko’s biggest motivator to keep fighting is by his side every day. His mother, Alicia, moved into the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley, which is next door to the hospital. Alicia says there are days she feels anger over the circumstances that put Niko here.

"I try to pray and get rid of those feelings, but those feelings are normal,” she said. "As a mom, this was the worst thing that I ever could imagine. Yes, I definitely have those days, and those days, I don’t even know how I get up sometimes in the morning.

"But I think of him, and if he can fight through all this pain and his life is completely changed, then I can do it. I have to do it."

Niko also shares an unbreakable bond with his older brother Michael. 

“It’s a great feeling to see when his brother comes in and a big smile comes on his face. It makes our whole day,” said D’Alberto.

“When you have a family as strong as ours, and faith like we have, something good is going to happen. We’ll turn this into a positive thing,” said Michael.

A year of surgeries is complete, but Niko still has a long road ahead.

"It goes by so fast and so slow at the same time. It’s crazy,” his brother said.

“He’s very motivated now, seems more happy, gives us nice, big smiles every day; numerous times a day,” said Alicia DiNovo.

"He moves his legs, but it’s going to take a while for him to get up walking, get to feeding himself, he’ll have to learn to swallow again because he has a trach [tube] in, so it’s going to affect his life huge on a daily basis,” said Michael.

Niko’s fight is not over, but his strength proves he’s not giving up.

“I expect to see him back here in a few years, giving motivational speeches to other patients,” said D’Alberto.

“Niko’s always been strong and now he’s just proved it even more,” said Alicia. “Now he’s fully covered. He’s making it. He’s going to do it."