United For Victor

Disponible en español en:
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My name is Victor and I was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic genetic disease that affects my organs; but principally my lungs, that is why I am now needing with an urgency a double lung transplant.

From a very young age when I lived in Mexico, I used to go to school, play with my friends, go to church and play with my cousins, like any other boy my age; but when I got home things were different, since I knew in advance that long breathing treatments, physical therapies and lots of medications were waiting for me, which not only depleted me, but also consumed a great part of my playing time, family life and study. While administering such treatments, I listened in the distance to my cousins and friends having fun while on my room, I only thought on ways of spending more time with them, but my sickness did not allow me to.

My tough hospital story starts since I was 8 months old, by not knowing what was going on, the doctors declared me evicted several times.

Finally, at the age of 2 I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Knowing what was happening to me was only the beginning. To be a carrier of cystic fibrosis; is “The beginning of an arduous process and a great struggle for life”:

-Medical consultations in different hospitals and with different diagnosticians, some were located on other cities.
-Frequent hospitalizations due to the pulmonary           complications of my illness.
-Daily breathing treatments, lengthy and tiring;
-A great amount of medications;
-Consumed a great part of playing time, family and study.
-And many other things.

All of this has been very difficult for me, but also for my parents, my family, and my friends.

I began to understand my illness, the cares and limitations it involved. Although in my mind, there was no obstacle that prevented me from dreaming of a life like the rest of the kids. I remember fondly the early years of my illness in working as a clown on a local television station, where he was known by the artistic name of ‘Pin-Pin’, with which it enlivened the lives of other children; Although mine was more and more impregnated with anguish and concern when I did not know what the future was holdings.

At home I have to take 3 breathing treatments a day, each, which would take a long time, do physical therapies and take various medications. In addition to requiring hospitalization 2-3 times a year for intensive treatment. For that reason, I attended school in a very special form since the beginning. On “Homebound” ½ day and the rest of the time at school where I required a scooter to move without getting fatigued because of my weakened state.

Despite my limitations, I always worked to be at my best at school. I volunteered tutoring other ESL students. With effort and dedication, I managed to get very good grades for what I was invited to the “National Junior Honor Society”, I was chosen “Student of the Month” several times and at the end I was honored the award of “The Student of the Year”.

When I started high school I could walk around school without the need of a scooter (which made me feel self-sufficient for the first time in a long time). Taking advantage of the time of good health, my school counselors and I decided that I would take dual classes (dual) while attending high school. Proudly I became part of the “National Honor Society”, “Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) and “Sign Language Honor Society”. In addition, I received a medal for my social service in an asylum for Deaf and visually impaired seniors. Although my breathing treatments and hospitalizations continued, I tried to mediate the times to fulfill all my obligations.

At the end of high school, I had the honor of being elected along with 18 other students from the entire school district to receive the “H.E.B. Excellence Award” where I was honored with different certificates from:

-State Senator Konni Burton,
-State Senator Kelly Hancock,
-The State of Texas House of Representatives, signed by   Jonathan Stickland, and
-Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes

It was a great honor for me and my family to receive such prestigious awards; becoming moments of great happiness and pride, always inspired by my family, teachers, counselors and friends that were pushing me at all times.

Suddenly, without notice, I got extremely ill and lost consciousness. My lungs started to collapse, I couldn’t not take four steps before beginning to cough and pass out because of the lack of oxygen. I remember getting that terrifying feeling of stress and desperation that I lived in those moments, wishing to give a hug to your family and tell them how much I loved them, but in the only attempt, I ended without strength.

I began to feel very tired, it became very difficult to walk short distances and would not stop coughing.

At the time of my hospitalization, my lung function fell to a dangerous 16%. Despite the great effort given by the doctors, it was impossible to heal them.

After the long stay, I was prescribed the use of oxygen 24 hours a day, I barely have sufficient energy to do my basic activities at home. Due to all of this I had to suspend school and work and completely modify my life routine.

The doctors informed me that because of my serious condition, my lungs run the risk of collapsing which is why a double lung transplant is urgently needed. Sadly, my family and I do not have the financial resources to do so, I do not have health insurance to cover this procedure and I do not qualify for any other that offers it.

Despite all of this, we are willing to continue fighting this new battle as we have done all this time, but…

My time is running out!

That is why I ask god for a life opportunity; and although Cystic Fibrosis is kicking my lungs, we will continue fighting with faith and hope.

I want to thank you for reading my story, I ask for your prayers and if it is inside your possibilities, I appreciate your donation. Thank you.

Victor Pablo Garcia-Ramirez