Candido Camero

Mi Viejo, Cándido Camero, is 99 years old. I have been assisting him with the management of his finances for a few years now. Today, I am establishing this campaign in hopes of helping him  raise funds that will allow him to continue to pay his home attendants. Medicare currently provides him with only five hours a day (9AM-1PM) Monday through Friday. Candido’s monthly income (which is just enough to pay for his essential expenses like rent, food, pain medication, etc.) is over the set amount required to qualify for Medicaid benefits. He, therefore, does not qualify for the 24/7 care he so desperately needs at the age of 99. Mi Viejo has been paying his home attendants out-of-pocket for additional hours  including for some hours on Saturdays and Sundays. However, his savings has been depleted and  without help, he will not be able to continue paying for  his home care. Mi Viejo is in a wheelchair due to arthritis and cannot get around as easily anymore. If you ask him, putting him in a nursing home is not an option. Not only because of the horror stories that one hears go on at nursing homes, but because he wants to stay home where he is surrounded by his belongings and has lived for almost 50 years. Home is where the heart is and where he wants to be... Candido does not have Alzheimers, he has a problem with short-term memory (but who doesn’t). Ask him any question about his younger years or his drumming or the name of one of the many musicians he played with and he will tell you what instrument they played and the songs they composed, if any. Mi Viejo, El Gran Maestro Cándido Camero Guerra, admired and respected by everyone, is the the Recipient of The 2008 NEA Jazz Master Award, and a world renowned Conga King, to name just two. He is one of the most humble and respectful human beings you will ever have the pleasure of knowing,  but I will let his old-time friend Bobby Sanabria tell you of his life story which he so eloquently does, in the links below, of Cándido Camero Guerra, born April 22, 1921 in the barrio of Havana , El Cerro:

https://www.facebook.com/Jazzcorner/videos/353889365484986/?d=n

https://www.wbgo.org/post/deep-dive-toast-candido-who-holds-key-conga-drumming-he-turns-99