Jesse Lives! - A Gift Of Freedom & Independence
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Jesse wasn’t supposed to live.
I actually met Jesse when he was 9, the age when he was expected to meet his demise.
How I Met Jesse
I’ll never forget that day in August 2012, a day that honestly has changed my life forever. I was volunteering at the Phoenix Ronald McDonald House, and in came, Jesse Gonzalez, the cutest boy with the biggest dimples. Happiness seemed to radiate from this young boy. And, although he was born without legs and was in a wheelchair, he appeared to be filled with great joy. His joy astounded and perhaps even confounded me, a bit. The little boy with the life-changing smile, of course, was not alone. Jesse was accompanied by his strong and brave mother, Diana Rojo.
Jesse Lives!
Not long after Diana learned she was pregnant, she started feeling like something was wrong. She went to several doctors, but each assured her that all was well. Then when she was 20 weeks pregnant, she had a blood test and the findings were devastating. Diana learned that the fetus would be born with Myelomeningocele, the most serious type of spina bifida – a birth defect that happens when a baby's backbone (spine) does not form properly. The deformity was so severe, the doctor predicted her baby would die in the womb or during labor. As a result, he encouraged Diana to end her pregnancy. But Diana decided that her child would live. And on July 22, 2003, she received the miracle that is Jesús, or as he likes to be called, Jesse.
Soon after Jesse’s first birthday, Diana once again received earth-shattering news. She was told that Jesse would not live to be more than 9 years old. But despite numerous dire prognoses, even while in his mother’s womb… JESSE LIVES! Today Jesse is a strong, happy, self-confident, amazing 17-year old.
Defying the Odds
Over the past 8 years, I have been fortunate enough to see Jesse grow into an incredible young man defying all odds, and he has taught me to be grateful for the greatest gift we have been given – our precious lives. Jesse has never given up, even when the goal seemed impossible to achieve. Jesse’s motto and favorite scripture is proudly displayed on his Facebook page, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13). And he lives it! Once Jesse makes up his mind to achieve something, failure is not an option. First it was bike riding, then weightlifting, fishing, joining the baseball team and GETTING HIS LICENSE! And now Jesse has an opportunity to accomplish a lifelong dream - owning and driving his own car.
A Gift of Freedom and Independence
I created this go fund me page to help Jesse continue to defy all odds and live his life to the fullest. You may be thinking like I was when Jesse first told me of his dream of driving a car. My heart broke that day because I could not see how Jesse would ever be able to drive. And then his mother, Diana, did the most remarkable thing, although I didn’t think so at the time. When Jesse was just 12 years old, she bought him a car and I’m not talking about a toy car. Albeit an older car that only cost a couple hundred dollars, but to Jesse it was so much more. It was inspiration! At the time, I struggled with her decision to give him a car. I thought she was giving him “unrealistic or false hope”. I am so thrilled to say that I was wrong. I now know that by giving Jesse a car, Diana was helping Jesse to create a vision of his dream being realized. Seeing that car, was a daily reminder for Jesse of what he was praying, believing, and working towards. And now that dream can finally be fulfilled!
On March 18, 2020, Jesse was issued a New Mexico License. And now the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), a State and Federally funded program designed to help eligible individuals with documented disabilities become independent and find suitable employment, has approved funding to make the required modifications to an automobile so that Jesse can drive safely. However, Jesse’s family is required to provide a pickup truck that is no more than 2 years old. Unfortunately, Jesse’s mother does not have the money to purchase a truck, especially a mostly new one, so we are asking for your help.
A small step is where we’ll begin. Even a small gift or any assistance that you can offer at this time would make a huge difference and dramatically enrich Jesse’s life. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and humbly ask that you share this link with family and friends, because Jesse still has so much more life to live!
In Jesse's own words:
I actually met Jesse when he was 9, the age when he was expected to meet his demise.
How I Met Jesse
I’ll never forget that day in August 2012, a day that honestly has changed my life forever. I was volunteering at the Phoenix Ronald McDonald House, and in came, Jesse Gonzalez, the cutest boy with the biggest dimples. Happiness seemed to radiate from this young boy. And, although he was born without legs and was in a wheelchair, he appeared to be filled with great joy. His joy astounded and perhaps even confounded me, a bit. The little boy with the life-changing smile, of course, was not alone. Jesse was accompanied by his strong and brave mother, Diana Rojo.
Jesse Lives!
Not long after Diana learned she was pregnant, she started feeling like something was wrong. She went to several doctors, but each assured her that all was well. Then when she was 20 weeks pregnant, she had a blood test and the findings were devastating. Diana learned that the fetus would be born with Myelomeningocele, the most serious type of spina bifida – a birth defect that happens when a baby's backbone (spine) does not form properly. The deformity was so severe, the doctor predicted her baby would die in the womb or during labor. As a result, he encouraged Diana to end her pregnancy. But Diana decided that her child would live. And on July 22, 2003, she received the miracle that is Jesús, or as he likes to be called, Jesse.
Soon after Jesse’s first birthday, Diana once again received earth-shattering news. She was told that Jesse would not live to be more than 9 years old. But despite numerous dire prognoses, even while in his mother’s womb… JESSE LIVES! Today Jesse is a strong, happy, self-confident, amazing 17-year old.
Defying the Odds
Over the past 8 years, I have been fortunate enough to see Jesse grow into an incredible young man defying all odds, and he has taught me to be grateful for the greatest gift we have been given – our precious lives. Jesse has never given up, even when the goal seemed impossible to achieve. Jesse’s motto and favorite scripture is proudly displayed on his Facebook page, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13). And he lives it! Once Jesse makes up his mind to achieve something, failure is not an option. First it was bike riding, then weightlifting, fishing, joining the baseball team and GETTING HIS LICENSE! And now Jesse has an opportunity to accomplish a lifelong dream - owning and driving his own car.
A Gift of Freedom and Independence
I created this go fund me page to help Jesse continue to defy all odds and live his life to the fullest. You may be thinking like I was when Jesse first told me of his dream of driving a car. My heart broke that day because I could not see how Jesse would ever be able to drive. And then his mother, Diana, did the most remarkable thing, although I didn’t think so at the time. When Jesse was just 12 years old, she bought him a car and I’m not talking about a toy car. Albeit an older car that only cost a couple hundred dollars, but to Jesse it was so much more. It was inspiration! At the time, I struggled with her decision to give him a car. I thought she was giving him “unrealistic or false hope”. I am so thrilled to say that I was wrong. I now know that by giving Jesse a car, Diana was helping Jesse to create a vision of his dream being realized. Seeing that car, was a daily reminder for Jesse of what he was praying, believing, and working towards. And now that dream can finally be fulfilled!
On March 18, 2020, Jesse was issued a New Mexico License. And now the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), a State and Federally funded program designed to help eligible individuals with documented disabilities become independent and find suitable employment, has approved funding to make the required modifications to an automobile so that Jesse can drive safely. However, Jesse’s family is required to provide a pickup truck that is no more than 2 years old. Unfortunately, Jesse’s mother does not have the money to purchase a truck, especially a mostly new one, so we are asking for your help.
A small step is where we’ll begin. Even a small gift or any assistance that you can offer at this time would make a huge difference and dramatically enrich Jesse’s life. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and humbly ask that you share this link with family and friends, because Jesse still has so much more life to live!
In Jesse's own words:
Co-organizers (3)
Dreama Graves
Organizer
Chevy Chase, MD
Diahann Eberling
Co-organizer
Minea Moore
Co-organizer