Antonio is a man who has been abandoned by his entire family. He suffers from hypertension and diabetes, which he found out about very late.
The diabetes caused him to go blind, and, at the same time, because he lost sensitivity in his extremities, he did not feel that a nail had embedded itself in his right foot, causing several infections, and the only alternative was to have his leg amputated. He currently lives alone, in a very small and precarious house. He cannot walk, see, work or support himself.
He lives on the charity of others, having days in which he does not eat, and because of his blindness, eating is a torture, since he drops everything he tries to put in his mouth.
The Social Ministry alerted the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Health Program to intervene, what the team found was heartbreaking: a 59-year old man, with malnutrition, with glucose and blood pressure at very dangerous levels for his health, as well as in complete abandonment. Antonio no longer had the strength to continue fighting. He felt that the world had turned its back on him, and that he had no hope left. He had been condemned to spend the rest of his days isolated, wheelchair-bound and blind.
Our team of health professionals accompanied him in his pain, treating him as a human being, and in order for him to improve he was given mobility therapies, vital signs monitoring and the appropriate medication so that his quality of life could improve.
Antonio not only needed medical care: he desired to feel listened to, loved and sheltered by someone else. Thanks to the Social Outreach Ministry and the Health Program, he had come to know God’s hand more closely.
Now, Antonio is a man full of optimism. He maintains a good mood, an unmatched spirit and a resilient attitude towards everything that happens to him.
Since some people in the community spread the word about his case, every chance they get they bring him something to eat, answering his prayers to God for help.
In December, when we had a visit from Here For Kids International team, they went to meet Antonio, and helped him cleaning his house. He was very grateful for the love that the whole community has for him, as he is now very happy with his new family.
Based on evaluations by our Health Program physicians, Antonio is a good candidate to begin an ophthalmologic evaluation, which would determine the true extent of his blindness. He is looking forward to regaining his eyesight, as he will be able to see the faces of the volunteers who have supported him in not giving up.
In our mission, there are hundreds of cases like Antonio’s. People in complete abandonment, that you, with the help of our volunteers, have saved their lives.
With your prayers and help, more people like Antonio can be saved.
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