Trujillo family continue to push through medical challenges | Season for Caring 2023
Despite heart defects, scoliosis, multiple sclerosis, blindness and celiac disease, the Patina-Trujillo family remains optimistic and, above all else, grateful that they have one other.
"We cannot allow these things, all these fears or these conditions to hold us back," Ruben Trujillo said. "We must fight through them."
Betty Patina-Trujillo, 48, and Trujillo, 50, despite their own disabilities and limitations, work hard to take care of and provide for their children, Ruben Jr., 21, Margarito, 14, and Eliza, 9.
Patina-Trujillo has multiple sclerosis, a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, and celiac disease, an immune reaction to eating gluten. Trujillo is legally blind in one eye and blind in the other.
The family continued to face medical challenges when Margarito was born with three congenital heart defects. Now, 14 years later, he underwent back surgery Oct. 4 to fix his scoliosis, a sideway curvature of the spine.
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Margarito said that, after the surgery, he is able to breathe better but still has a long way to go. He said he is thankful for the support of his entire family.
"This year has been tough," he said. "But we have been pushing through and living on."
Patina-Trujillo said helping to care for her son while dealing with her own illnesses can be hard, but she tries to remain calm so she can be safe and do what Margarito needs.
"I try not to panic," she said. "When I panic a lot, my nerves start shutting down. So, I'm trying to keep calm and not think about (my pain)."
Ruben Jr. said he worries about his parents and his brother, but he tries to help where he can. Having been recently laid off from his position as a prep cook in the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, he is looking for a job to help the family's financial situation. He said because of the amount of help needed at home, a part-time position is the best option.
Trujillo said despite his vision problems he is more worried about his wife and Margarito. He said he is concerned that her multiple sclerosis could be triggered while she is driving, and that Margarito won't have good health in general.
However, Trujillo said he continues to be positive to inspire his family. He said he won't let anything hold him back. Trujillo works as a shipping and receiving clerk for Austin Lighthouse — Travis Association for the Blind, a nonprofit organization helping the blind and visually impaired community.
"They see me carrying on; they see me fight through it," he said. "I hope they are inspired by me, by the fact that I went back to work, that I found something that I can do."
The Trujillo family's wishes:
A wheelchair ramp; king, queen and twin-size beds; help with repairs for the house; cabinets; help with bills including utilities and internet/cable; an electric stove; a refrigerator with an ice maker; a professional organizer; four car tires; driving lessons for Ruben Jr.; help with GED; a gently used car; a desktop computer; gift cards to Walmart, H-E-B and Target; a new bike; gardening equipment; gift cards for clothes; winter coats for the whole family; cowboy boots size 12; earbuds; bookshelves; cookbooks; cooking utensils; a dresser; blinds; weighted blanket; puppets; art supplies; ballet or theater classes; Barbie dolls; a PlayStation 5 and a Nintendo Switch.
Their wish list is available on Walmart and Amazon.
Nominated by: Wonders & Worries, 9101 Burnet Road, Suite 205, Austin, TX 78758. 512-329-5757, wondersandworries.org.
Its mission: Wonders & Worries provides free, professional support for children and teenagers through a parent’s serious illness or injury so they can reach their full potential.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Season for Caring: Trujillo family push through medical challenges
