¡Meet José!

Hi, my name is José. I’m 12 years old and I live on Cozumel Island in Mexico. I’m the oldest kid in my family. I have four brothers and two sisters. We live with my mom, dad, grandma and grandpa, aunt, uncle and cousins out in the countryside.

I was born with Down syndrome and some other disabilities. My family is very poor so  I’ve never received any services except stuff to keep me alive.  My muscles aren’t very strong, so I can’t hold my body up.  Most of the day I lie on my back in my white plastic chair and watch my fingers in the light or play with my toes. My mom sits me up and holds me when it’s time for me to eat. I like most kinds of food.  I can see a little and hear a little, so sometimes my brothers and sisters come by and talk to me, even though I don’t know how to talk back to them. My mom puts my chair right in the middle of our one room house so I can be a part of everything.

• Share ideas for my family to use to help me communicate with them and explore my world?
• Donate money to sponsor therapy services so someone (like a physical therapist) could help me learn to communicate and explore?
• Help my family by donating clothing or toys for me and my brothers and sisters?
• Help my friends, Paddi and John, find a used children's wheelchair that would let me sit up and watch my family?

In May 2006, Paddi, John and Martin visited José and his family. We brought an exploration board with many stimulating toys of different colors, textures, shapes and sounds for José. As you can see in the picture, within minutes José began reaching out and exploring these items. These toys, and his new wheelchair, will make José’s day to day life easier and more fun.

We also brought clothing, shoes, books and toys for José and his brothers, sisters and cousins who live with him.  These were accepted with squeals of delight!

At the last minute, we packed several pair of shoes that we had collected from friends, garage sales and clearance sales. These shoes were greatly needed and appreciated. We will continue to collect shoes of all sizes to give out to all family members.