Efrain dreams of a better life
Donation protected
In 2001 the young architect Efrain Ramirez was dreaming of beginning a new and peaceful life in Australia. Life in Venezuela had become increasingly dangerous for its citizens due to extreme economic instability brought on by a precarious political climate. Efrain started making preparations for his migration, but one afternoon while cycling in his mother’s hometown of Barquisimeto, Efrain tragically suffered devastating injuries to his skull and brain when he was attacked and shot in the head by a violent bicycle thief.
Efrain lay in a coma in a critical condition for 20 days, and just when his medical team were preparing to turn off his life support machines: Efrain woke up. It was nothing short of a miracle. Since then Efrain has demonstrated an incredible will to live with an ongoing wish for a normal, peaceful life. He has exhausted his life savings undergoing countless major operations to reconstruct his face and skull, to have a prosthetic eye put in after his left eye was destroyed by the gunshot, and to attempt to remove some of the bullet fragments from his brain. Efrain continues to suffer from dizziness and vertigo every day, but doctors have said that it won't be possible to remove any more of the remaining bullet fragments: attempting to do so will only cause further damage and will inevitably have a negative impact on his current brain function.
As a result of his trauma, Efrain has suffered from periods of post-traumatic stress and depression. In times of better health between operations - and against the advice of doctors - he has been forced to continue to work long hours in labour-intensive jobs so as to be able to pay for medical debts that accumulated after his life savings were depleted. All of this continues to put immense stress and strain on Efrain’s health and wellbeing, but he has been left without a choice as the medical bills have compounded over the years.
Despite all of this, Efrain continues to inspire people with his positive energy, his incredible spirit and his resilience in the face of extreme adversity. He considers himself lucky to be alive and counts the blessings that he has. Efrain spreads joy through his love of music - he plays the violin and viola in a community orchestra, and percussion in a Cuban band.
Please help Efrain finally move towards a better life by making a contribution towards his medical fees. No amount is too small.
Special thanks to photographer Noni Carroll nonicarrollphotography.com
Efrain lay in a coma in a critical condition for 20 days, and just when his medical team were preparing to turn off his life support machines: Efrain woke up. It was nothing short of a miracle. Since then Efrain has demonstrated an incredible will to live with an ongoing wish for a normal, peaceful life. He has exhausted his life savings undergoing countless major operations to reconstruct his face and skull, to have a prosthetic eye put in after his left eye was destroyed by the gunshot, and to attempt to remove some of the bullet fragments from his brain. Efrain continues to suffer from dizziness and vertigo every day, but doctors have said that it won't be possible to remove any more of the remaining bullet fragments: attempting to do so will only cause further damage and will inevitably have a negative impact on his current brain function.
As a result of his trauma, Efrain has suffered from periods of post-traumatic stress and depression. In times of better health between operations - and against the advice of doctors - he has been forced to continue to work long hours in labour-intensive jobs so as to be able to pay for medical debts that accumulated after his life savings were depleted. All of this continues to put immense stress and strain on Efrain’s health and wellbeing, but he has been left without a choice as the medical bills have compounded over the years.
Despite all of this, Efrain continues to inspire people with his positive energy, his incredible spirit and his resilience in the face of extreme adversity. He considers himself lucky to be alive and counts the blessings that he has. Efrain spreads joy through his love of music - he plays the violin and viola in a community orchestra, and percussion in a Cuban band.
Please help Efrain finally move towards a better life by making a contribution towards his medical fees. No amount is too small.
Special thanks to photographer Noni Carroll nonicarrollphotography.com
Organizer and beneficiary
Loretta Palmeiro
Organizer
Alexandria, NSW
Efrain Ramirez
Beneficiary