Editor’s Note: The following is the seventh installment in a
series of articles connecting our readers to the area’s most needy
residents during the holiday season. The Morgan Hill Times will
present the stories Nov. 28 through Dec. 22.
Morgan Hill –The daily routine of the Cortez family is filled with bittersweet moments, rejoicing in the new-found hope for 7-year-old Roberto, now that he is getting the medical care that he needs, yet struggling to make ends meet.
Roberto was born with cystic hygroma, a birth defect that occurs as a baby grows in the womb. The result is a sac-like growth that most commonly occurs in the head and neck area.
For Roberto, that means he also needs a feeding tube and is unable to completely close his mouth. Because his doctors in Mexico had “all but given up,” according to Brenda Joy, his second-grade teacher at Burnett Elementary School, the family moved to the U.S. to find help.
“Though the future is uncertain, he is now receiving excellent medical care,” she said. “Due to the severity of his illness, Roberto had never attended school before. He did not get to run and play with friends or explore the world around him.”
Roberto and his 5-year-old brother Enrique have embraced their life in Morgan Hill, including their time at Burnett Elementary, becoming a part of the school “family.”
“Just knowing Roberto sparks that inner belief that our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them,” said Burnett Principal Barbara Neal. “This young man exemplifies that courage and instills inspiration in all of us at Burnett.”
School is a very important part of his life, Neal said, even though he faces challenges the other students can only imagine.
He cannot even participate in PE with his classmates, so Joy has designated him the “class coach,” Neal said. He coordinates the PE activities, sets the teams and gives his classmates pointers and words of encouragement, she added.
“Roberto has made the most courageous of all decisions … he knows exactly what he wants and is going for it wholeheartedly,” she said.
One of the dreams that Roberto has is to someday play football. Though it is a dream that may not come true, Joy said the cheerful second-grader does not get discouraged.
“He wants to run fast, play hard and be like all the other boys on the team,” she said. “He exemplifies carpe diem, seize the day, and play full out. He shows us how to make a difference every day by believing in ourselves.”
He was given the opportunity to be a part of a team Wednesday night, as the Sobrato High School varsity football team made him an honorary member of the team during their end of the year banquet.
The team captains and Sobrato High School Varsity Football Coach Dan Brown presented Roberto with an official varsity home jersey, number “4,” while the crowd of more than 200 football players and their families and friends gave him a standing ovation.
“The whole family had a great time,” said Adaelvi Cortez, Roberto’s mother. “It was such fun, and thank God for Roberto’s lovely teacher.”
The family struggles to make ends meet while dealing with Roberto’s medical issues. Any support from the community would be welcome, according to school officials.
The family needs clothing (size 6-7 for Enrique, size 7-8 for Roberto, size 14 for mom and large shirt and size 36×30 pants for dad) and grocery store gift cards. Roberto also needs a dresser to put his clothing in. Of course, mom and dad would like Enrique and Roberto to have something fun; Game Boys are something they would both enjoy.
HOW TO DONATE
To help Roberto Cortez and his family contact Burnett Elementary School, 85 Tilton Ave., Morgan Hill,
(408) 779-5241. Items can be dropped off at school office.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
