He was humble and sweet and kind all in one bundle of a handsome young man who didn't know how attractive he really was. At age twenty-four he seemed younger, his touch of innocence radiated within the confines of an environment that created old men from young ones. He was proud of his American roots, grown within a Kentucky foster family who nurtured the best of him at the hardest of times in his life, while he endured painful surgical repairs to a body scared by electrocution burns acquired as a child in his home country of Guatemala. During his time in Kentucky he learned of unconditional love, faith, friendship and of the possibilities available to him if he worked hard. His foster family fostered more than his return to physical health; they nurtured his spirit, educated his mind and returned him to Guatemala as a whole person who was prepared for the life he was meant to lead in his home country.
He took their gifts and grew himself up, always with one foot in both worlds, under the guidance of his employers at Mayan Families, his friends in the organization Children of the Americas, and his foster parents, Jennifer and Charlie Martin.
He was Carlos Gomez.
Carlos Gomez. How many men share this name in Guatemala? Gomez is like the surname Smith in the states, common and abundant.
Hundreds if not thousands of people knew better.
There was nothing common about him.
Carlos always sought excellence within himself and his work. Through his job opportunities at Mayan Families in Guatemala, he became a talented carpenter, but he was most proud of his scholastic achievements.
He took the life lessons instilled in him by those who cared for him in Kentucky and in Guatemala and he grew them through his own determination to prove to us that he was worthy of our concern.
He was taught, and remembered well, that life is not defined by your past, but rather by your efforts to overcome. Carlos came from a social background that would have served as an excuse for most, but instead became an experience used to do better and become more than he might have without the guidance of many who cared for him.
He loved the organization that gave him back his health. When he first traveled to the United States, escorted by COTA Executive Director Rosemary Vance in August of 2001, Carlos began a series of four trips to Kentucky for donated surgeries. Most who knew him had little idea of the extent of his burn injuries and the wound care issues he had up until his passing. He was grateful and respectful for the efforts on his behalf, and he understood, in a way unique to him, that the best form of gratitude was to give back to those who had helped him. Carlos's endless enthusiasm for helping on Children of the Americas teams sustained us when our energy lagged and inspired us in the wee hours of the mornings as he translated for our night shift nurses. During teams he slept little, ate less and worked hard so that he could make every moment count with the team members he loved.
In his honor, Children of the Americas is creating The Carlos Fund, which will be used to help other Guatemalan team translators with the financial burdens they incur while volunteering for our medical teams. Like Carlos, these volunteers loose a week of income, travel at their own expense and work long hours to assist us with patient care.
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| Foster mother Jennifer Martin and family |
He was Carlos Gomez.
Carlos Gomez. How many men share this name in Guatemala? Gomez is like the surname Smith in the states, common and abundant.
Hundreds if not thousands of people knew better.
There was nothing common about him.
 |
| Graduation |
He took the life lessons instilled in him by those who cared for him in Kentucky and in Guatemala and he grew them through his own determination to prove to us that he was worthy of our concern.
He was taught, and remembered well, that life is not defined by your past, but rather by your efforts to overcome. Carlos came from a social background that would have served as an excuse for most, but instead became an experience used to do better and become more than he might have without the guidance of many who cared for him.
He loved the organization that gave him back his health. When he first traveled to the United States, escorted by COTA Executive Director Rosemary Vance in August of 2001, Carlos began a series of four trips to Kentucky for donated surgeries. Most who knew him had little idea of the extent of his burn injuries and the wound care issues he had up until his passing. He was grateful and respectful for the efforts on his behalf, and he understood, in a way unique to him, that the best form of gratitude was to give back to those who had helped him. Carlos's endless enthusiasm for helping on Children of the Americas teams sustained us when our energy lagged and inspired us in the wee hours of the mornings as he translated for our night shift nurses. During teams he slept little, ate less and worked hard so that he could make every moment count with the team members he loved.
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| Carlos, always happiest on a COTA Team (2008) |
Carlos would be honored to think that in his passing, just as he did in life, he continues to give back.
Contributions can be sent by clicking the donate button to the right, and making note that the donation should go to:
2 comments:
A lovely tribute to an exceptional young man.
Absolutely perfect!
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