Health and Hope for Juan Gabriel
Donation protected
Concern into Action: The Short Story (relatively speaking)
As many of you know, our adopted son Juan Gabriel--a 30-year-old police officer living in Peru--is struggling to recover from his second bout of COVID in a country that has been ravaged by the virus.
Peru's health care system is notoriously underfunded and ineffective at serving the needs of a country of 32.5 million people. In this vast country there exist only 1,650 ICU beds. Through his work as a police officer, he has access to a public hospital for basic treatments, but therapeutics for COVID are incredibly limited and costly, even at the public hospital.
The best health care is available at private clinics, and while still limited compared to care in developed countries like the US, these clinics are able to provide better therapeutics and have some bed availability...for a price.
As difficult as this pandemic is for everyone, Juan Gabriel's experience is truly heart-breaking. Two years ago, Juan Gabriel was diagnosed with drug-resistant Tuberculosis--for the second time. Feeling defeated and with already reduced lung capacity, Juan Gabriel was required to take an 8-month leave of absence from his work to heal. We are fortunate to have the resources to support him as there is no such thing as disability insurance in Peru and no paid leave.
While recovering in the small make-shift home that he purchased and largely constructed himself, Juan Gabriel's humble home literally crumbled off the hillside on which it was perched. A support wall at the back of the home gave way and the entire roof collapsed on top of all his earthly possessions. Fortunately, Juan Gabriel was not at home at the time.
After 8 months of challenging recovery and living in a rented room, Juan Gabriel enthusiastically returned to work even though his beloved Peru was in the midst of political upheaval--the result of a coup including three different presidents in a week. Even though he took all the necessary health precautions (masking, hygiene, etc.), Juan Gabriel contracted COVID his first time just a few weeks after returning to work.
Two bouts of drug-resistant Tuberculosis have given Juan Gabriel the lungs of a 70-year-old smoker. We worried sick as Juan Gabriel struggled to breathe during the days following his diagnosis. Thankfully, Juan Gabriel survived COVID and after about three weeks was able to return to work with the same enthusiasm as before.
Two weeks ago, Juan Gabriel once again began to feel sick and struggled to breathe. A visit to the doctor confirmed his and our worst fears. He was once again COVID positive. This time, the disease has really taken its toll. Juan Gabriel has been in and out of the hospital. Each night he struggles to breathe, saying he feels like he is drowning. He comments that he fears he will die and we reply with words of comfort knowing that there are no guarantees.
Our heart breaks. We feel powerless to help. Your prayers sustain us and him.
Powerless is an agonizing place to be; today, we decided that doing something was better than staying idle. Surrounded by so many of your good wishes and offers of support, we thought we'd organize our mighty little community of friends and family to try to arrange some resources to not only get Juan Gabriel well but to also seek private health care advice and services for long-term lung therapy.
Likely all the money we raise will be required for health care; however, if there is any money left after the provision of the health care he needs, he will use the additional funds to help secure more stable housing, closer to a hospital and his work, in a safe community where friends of ours can regularly check in on him. This is something we will be pursuing outside of the gofundme process, as it is our obligation and desire to provide.
We offer this giving opportunity with all humility and appreciation, knowing that a community coming together multiplies the support Alisa and I can provide. If your concern also draws you to action beyond prayer, here's one way to help. 100% of your gift will go directly to Juan Gabriel for his care. It is for him, not us, and will remind him that he is not alone and not powerless. THANK YOU!
If you are interested in learning more about how Juan Gabriel became a part of our lives, feel free to read the story below; it's not short, but it's a feel-good story if you need one.
The Back Story: The Longer Version (relatively speaking)
In 2002, Erik and Juan Gabriel's paths crossed when Erik was living and volunteering in Lima, Peru. Juan Gabriel, then 12 years old, was living in an orphanage along with his older sister. Juan Gabriel's mother struggled to raise her four children alone and was faced with the difficult choice of giving up her two middle children to the orphanage when Juan Gabriel was 9 years old.
To say that his early years were challenging would be an understatement. Sadly, his reality growing up poor in one of the many impoverished areas of Latin America is the rule, not the exception, for millions of children. But Juan Gabriel is a fighter. An eternal optimist, lover of life, and resilient spirit, Juan Gabriel always finds a way to survive and even thrive in the face of adversity.
When Erik spent time volunteering at the orphanage, Juan Gabriel would go out of his way to welcome Erik and the other volunteers. He loved making connections with the volunteers and enjoyed throwing the American football and playing soccer with us. It didn't take long for Juan Gabriel to find his way deeper into our hearts with each successive visit.
After a group of Erik's high school students from San Jose, CA visited Peru to volunteer at the orphanage and at a faith-based youth summer camp, Juan Gabriel found his way into the hearts of 18 high schoolers who encouraged Erik to find a way to bring Juan Gabriel back to the states where he could experience a much different life and education. Single at the time and living the life of a traveling volunteer for a year, Erik had no business being a father to a 12-year-old kid, but that didn't stop him from seeing if there was a way of sponsoring Juan Gabriel toward a better future--in the states or in Peru.
Many options were considered, but in the end, it was impossible to bring Juan Gabriel to the states. However, already completely connected to this remarkable young man and not willing to abandon him, Erik and his friends--both Peruvian and American--made sure that Juan Gabriel could reconnect with his birth mother (an extremely healing experience for both) and find security, peace, and a good education in Peru.
A Father's Love
As Erik was leaving Peru and returning to the states, a Peruvian family dear to Erik offered to let Juan Gabriel live with them and their two teenage children who also loved Juan Gabriel (they were volunteers at the orphanage, as well) and attend school in Lima.
For the next four years, Erik took the role of a father-figure in Juan Gabriel's life--paying for a catholic school education where Juan Gabriel could get a better chance at a professional future; providing health care and much needed emotional support; checking in almost daily ensuring that homework was completed, cooperation was offered to his host family; and...yes...even occasional fatherly discipline as Juan Gabriel adjusted from an unstructured life to a life of focus and opportunity. It was truly a team effort. At the center of it all was the promise of something different for Juan Gabriel and the Abba-love of God.
Three times per year during Juan Gabriel's high school years, Erik would travel to Peru to visit his friends and to focus on building the trust necessary to heal wounds and imagine a bright future for Juan Gabriel. Unsurprisingly, but not purposefully, it didn't take long for Juan Gabriel to see Erik as his father and to call him Papa--an honor and responsibility that Erik cherishes to this day.
A Bright Future
After graduation from high school, which Erik was able to attend as a proud father, Juan Gabriel had many dreams, but no clear direction. Most pronounced was his dream of one day being a police officer. At the time, though, Peru's police force was quite corrupt; landing a spot in the academy required connections and bribes. After a year of preparing for the Academy, Juan Gabriel was denied due to a lack of connection and institutional racism and classism. Heart-broken, Juan Gabriel decided to pivot and try his hand at another dream of his--becoming a chef. For four years, Juan Gabriel attended and succeeded at the national culinary institute in Peru: D'Gallia.
During those four years, Juan Gabriel also gained a second mom when Erik met and married Alisa. Alisa's first trip to Peru to meet Juan Gabriel included Juan Gabriel's soon-to-be-born brother Gideon as Alisa was 6 months pregnant on her first visit. The two of them quickly created a deep connection and love for one another.
Also during the four years of his culinary studies, Peru changed greatly. Under new political leadership and with a booming economy, Peru's police force reformed significantly, and rather than keeping people out of the force, they were actively recruiting candidates from all over the country as Juan Gabriel was to begin his final year of culinary school.
Having never lost his dream of becoming a police officer, Juan Gabriel begged Erik to allow him to take a year leave of absence from his studies to attend the police force (at that time a one-year commitment). Reluctantly, Erik relented and gave his blessing for Juan Gabriel to attend the academy--as long as Juan Gabriel agreed to return to his studies when not working as a police officer (Peru's police force is more similar to US military service than the police service in the US).
While training, Peru changed the requirements of police training--another effort to end corruption--and extended the academy to a three-year program. While this change would not allow Juan Gabriel to return to culinary school to finish his degree, it did provide him with the hope of a career in a police force that would serve the people of Peru with greater effectiveness and integrity, something important to Juan Gabriel.
In January of 2018, Juan Gabriel graduated from the police academy in Peru, and cheering in the crowd were Juan Gabriel's mother, brother, Erik, Alisa, Gideon, and Mateo.
That trip and milestone remain an indelible memory in the hearts and minds of not only our family, but all those friends who have known, loved, and supported Juan Gabriel in his journey. While we may not understand the indiscriminate cruelty of life on this side of heaven, we are most certainly reminded that we are not alone. God has been with us and Juan Gabriel every step of the way and has fortunately conspired with the universe to join our paths together.
In a world full of pain, poverty, and need, our small family may not be able to make a difference for the world, but we are able to make a difference for one and it has meant the world to him...and US!
As many of you know, our adopted son Juan Gabriel--a 30-year-old police officer living in Peru--is struggling to recover from his second bout of COVID in a country that has been ravaged by the virus.
Peru's health care system is notoriously underfunded and ineffective at serving the needs of a country of 32.5 million people. In this vast country there exist only 1,650 ICU beds. Through his work as a police officer, he has access to a public hospital for basic treatments, but therapeutics for COVID are incredibly limited and costly, even at the public hospital.The best health care is available at private clinics, and while still limited compared to care in developed countries like the US, these clinics are able to provide better therapeutics and have some bed availability...for a price.
As difficult as this pandemic is for everyone, Juan Gabriel's experience is truly heart-breaking. Two years ago, Juan Gabriel was diagnosed with drug-resistant Tuberculosis--for the second time. Feeling defeated and with already reduced lung capacity, Juan Gabriel was required to take an 8-month leave of absence from his work to heal. We are fortunate to have the resources to support him as there is no such thing as disability insurance in Peru and no paid leave.
While recovering in the small make-shift home that he purchased and largely constructed himself, Juan Gabriel's humble home literally crumbled off the hillside on which it was perched. A support wall at the back of the home gave way and the entire roof collapsed on top of all his earthly possessions. Fortunately, Juan Gabriel was not at home at the time.
After 8 months of challenging recovery and living in a rented room, Juan Gabriel enthusiastically returned to work even though his beloved Peru was in the midst of political upheaval--the result of a coup including three different presidents in a week. Even though he took all the necessary health precautions (masking, hygiene, etc.), Juan Gabriel contracted COVID his first time just a few weeks after returning to work. Two bouts of drug-resistant Tuberculosis have given Juan Gabriel the lungs of a 70-year-old smoker. We worried sick as Juan Gabriel struggled to breathe during the days following his diagnosis. Thankfully, Juan Gabriel survived COVID and after about three weeks was able to return to work with the same enthusiasm as before.
Two weeks ago, Juan Gabriel once again began to feel sick and struggled to breathe. A visit to the doctor confirmed his and our worst fears. He was once again COVID positive. This time, the disease has really taken its toll. Juan Gabriel has been in and out of the hospital. Each night he struggles to breathe, saying he feels like he is drowning. He comments that he fears he will die and we reply with words of comfort knowing that there are no guarantees.
Our heart breaks. We feel powerless to help. Your prayers sustain us and him.
Powerless is an agonizing place to be; today, we decided that doing something was better than staying idle. Surrounded by so many of your good wishes and offers of support, we thought we'd organize our mighty little community of friends and family to try to arrange some resources to not only get Juan Gabriel well but to also seek private health care advice and services for long-term lung therapy.Likely all the money we raise will be required for health care; however, if there is any money left after the provision of the health care he needs, he will use the additional funds to help secure more stable housing, closer to a hospital and his work, in a safe community where friends of ours can regularly check in on him. This is something we will be pursuing outside of the gofundme process, as it is our obligation and desire to provide.
We offer this giving opportunity with all humility and appreciation, knowing that a community coming together multiplies the support Alisa and I can provide. If your concern also draws you to action beyond prayer, here's one way to help. 100% of your gift will go directly to Juan Gabriel for his care. It is for him, not us, and will remind him that he is not alone and not powerless. THANK YOU!
If you are interested in learning more about how Juan Gabriel became a part of our lives, feel free to read the story below; it's not short, but it's a feel-good story if you need one.
The Back Story: The Longer Version (relatively speaking)
In 2002, Erik and Juan Gabriel's paths crossed when Erik was living and volunteering in Lima, Peru. Juan Gabriel, then 12 years old, was living in an orphanage along with his older sister. Juan Gabriel's mother struggled to raise her four children alone and was faced with the difficult choice of giving up her two middle children to the orphanage when Juan Gabriel was 9 years old.
To say that his early years were challenging would be an understatement. Sadly, his reality growing up poor in one of the many impoverished areas of Latin America is the rule, not the exception, for millions of children. But Juan Gabriel is a fighter. An eternal optimist, lover of life, and resilient spirit, Juan Gabriel always finds a way to survive and even thrive in the face of adversity.
When Erik spent time volunteering at the orphanage, Juan Gabriel would go out of his way to welcome Erik and the other volunteers. He loved making connections with the volunteers and enjoyed throwing the American football and playing soccer with us. It didn't take long for Juan Gabriel to find his way deeper into our hearts with each successive visit.
After a group of Erik's high school students from San Jose, CA visited Peru to volunteer at the orphanage and at a faith-based youth summer camp, Juan Gabriel found his way into the hearts of 18 high schoolers who encouraged Erik to find a way to bring Juan Gabriel back to the states where he could experience a much different life and education. Single at the time and living the life of a traveling volunteer for a year, Erik had no business being a father to a 12-year-old kid, but that didn't stop him from seeing if there was a way of sponsoring Juan Gabriel toward a better future--in the states or in Peru.
Many options were considered, but in the end, it was impossible to bring Juan Gabriel to the states. However, already completely connected to this remarkable young man and not willing to abandon him, Erik and his friends--both Peruvian and American--made sure that Juan Gabriel could reconnect with his birth mother (an extremely healing experience for both) and find security, peace, and a good education in Peru.A Father's Love
As Erik was leaving Peru and returning to the states, a Peruvian family dear to Erik offered to let Juan Gabriel live with them and their two teenage children who also loved Juan Gabriel (they were volunteers at the orphanage, as well) and attend school in Lima.
For the next four years, Erik took the role of a father-figure in Juan Gabriel's life--paying for a catholic school education where Juan Gabriel could get a better chance at a professional future; providing health care and much needed emotional support; checking in almost daily ensuring that homework was completed, cooperation was offered to his host family; and...yes...even occasional fatherly discipline as Juan Gabriel adjusted from an unstructured life to a life of focus and opportunity. It was truly a team effort. At the center of it all was the promise of something different for Juan Gabriel and the Abba-love of God.
Three times per year during Juan Gabriel's high school years, Erik would travel to Peru to visit his friends and to focus on building the trust necessary to heal wounds and imagine a bright future for Juan Gabriel. Unsurprisingly, but not purposefully, it didn't take long for Juan Gabriel to see Erik as his father and to call him Papa--an honor and responsibility that Erik cherishes to this day. A Bright Future
After graduation from high school, which Erik was able to attend as a proud father, Juan Gabriel had many dreams, but no clear direction. Most pronounced was his dream of one day being a police officer. At the time, though, Peru's police force was quite corrupt; landing a spot in the academy required connections and bribes. After a year of preparing for the Academy, Juan Gabriel was denied due to a lack of connection and institutional racism and classism. Heart-broken, Juan Gabriel decided to pivot and try his hand at another dream of his--becoming a chef. For four years, Juan Gabriel attended and succeeded at the national culinary institute in Peru: D'Gallia.
During those four years, Juan Gabriel also gained a second mom when Erik met and married Alisa. Alisa's first trip to Peru to meet Juan Gabriel included Juan Gabriel's soon-to-be-born brother Gideon as Alisa was 6 months pregnant on her first visit. The two of them quickly created a deep connection and love for one another.
Also during the four years of his culinary studies, Peru changed greatly. Under new political leadership and with a booming economy, Peru's police force reformed significantly, and rather than keeping people out of the force, they were actively recruiting candidates from all over the country as Juan Gabriel was to begin his final year of culinary school.Having never lost his dream of becoming a police officer, Juan Gabriel begged Erik to allow him to take a year leave of absence from his studies to attend the police force (at that time a one-year commitment). Reluctantly, Erik relented and gave his blessing for Juan Gabriel to attend the academy--as long as Juan Gabriel agreed to return to his studies when not working as a police officer (Peru's police force is more similar to US military service than the police service in the US).
While training, Peru changed the requirements of police training--another effort to end corruption--and extended the academy to a three-year program. While this change would not allow Juan Gabriel to return to culinary school to finish his degree, it did provide him with the hope of a career in a police force that would serve the people of Peru with greater effectiveness and integrity, something important to Juan Gabriel.
In January of 2018, Juan Gabriel graduated from the police academy in Peru, and cheering in the crowd were Juan Gabriel's mother, brother, Erik, Alisa, Gideon, and Mateo.
That trip and milestone remain an indelible memory in the hearts and minds of not only our family, but all those friends who have known, loved, and supported Juan Gabriel in his journey. While we may not understand the indiscriminate cruelty of life on this side of heaven, we are most certainly reminded that we are not alone. God has been with us and Juan Gabriel every step of the way and has fortunately conspired with the universe to join our paths together. In a world full of pain, poverty, and need, our small family may not be able to make a difference for the world, but we are able to make a difference for one and it has meant the world to him...and US!
Organizer
Erik Burmeister
Organizer
Menlo Park, CA