Javier Gonzalez has lived a life of medical fragility, resulting in frequent hospitalizations, daily medications, constant care, a home full of medical equipment, etc. This all started November 18th, 2000. When he got shot in the back of his neck causing him to become a quadriplegic from his chest down with a C5 complete injury. He became paralyzed just 6 months after his son was born. He has been paralyzed for almost 21 years now. Throughout these years Javier's health has been deteriorating little by little. As a result, in the more recent years he has been needing to go to more physical therapy, doctor's appointments, and many hospitalizations. My grandmother, Javiers mom has taken care of him this whole journey and has stepped in as a caregiver for him. This has taken a great toll on my grandmother as well as Javier throughout the years.
Javier has always used a van that was accessible to him but he has been without one since his van is no longer usable. Recently in needing to transport him to doctor's appointments, physical therapy, or hospitalizations has been very hard to do since there is no access to any vehicle that is accessible for him. What they have been doing is taking him in regular cars that are borrowed from family members. But with him being unstable in the seats without any secure seating for him has become very difficult and dangerous to do as this increases the likelihood of accidents to occur. There have been many times where there are no cars that they can borrow to go to doctor's appointments and they have had to miss many which in result have delayed his essential care.
With COVID it has been even more difficult to travel with Javier and get him to doctor's appointments, therapy, or hospitals because of his delicate health it is very easy for him to get sick quickly. With that being said, the money from this fundraiser would also be used to get some durable medical equipment to help him do his own physical activity without having to leave his home as often. This equipment helps restore muscle strength in this whole body and would be greatly beneficial to him and would lessen the difficulty of his situation.
A handicap accessible van along with the medical equipment would ease much of the burden of traveling with Javier and ease the difficulties of his situation overall. Appointments would be easier to navigate not only for Javier but also for my grandmother which is very tired and also has her own medical problems. It would also mean that Javier can get out to share his testimony with others to help them stay out of trouble and learn from his experiences. The Gonzalez family has always relied God and has always maintained faith that maybe one day things would get better for Javier and the family as a whole. There are so many other details about Javier's story that I can add but this would be way longer than it already is. Anything helps! If you are not able to donate, a share will go a long way to help get Javier's story out there.
