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Shortly after starting work at the electric company, tragedy struck as Kevin accidentally touched a high-tension wire and was severely electrocuted. As a result of this accident, Kevin lost part of one leg, the foot on his other leg, the hand on his right arm and his left arm was rendered largely paralyzed.
John Dewane, President of Angeles Para Honduras, (APH) learned of Kevin’s plight last December through a relative that sought assistance from APH with his medical care. Disappointingly, the Honduras Electric Company refused to provide any financial support or healthcare for Kevin as he had not been working for a long enough time at the company. This is shocking to Americans as that would not happen here.
John spoke to Kevin’s Mom on the phone and learned firsthand of Kevin’s situation. John asked what he could do to help, and his mom said that Kevin was terribly depressed and had no hope. She had been looking for items that featured Kevin’s favorite singer but had been unsuccessful. She asked John to see what he could find. John decided to send money to Kevin’s mom, and she was exuberantly grateful. John spoke with his mom again in January and although she told John she didn’t need anything, he sent more funds as he was aware of their dire situation from other sources
John was able to find three blankets with images of Kevin’s favorite singer which he carried to Honduras during his next trip there in March. John drove two hours to meet Kevin personally. When he arrived, Kevin was in a terrible state of mind because a local pastor who had just visited was using Kevin to raise money for his cause and then keeping it for himself and referring to Kevin in what he felt were demeaning terms when he used his case to raise money.
John was able to turn things around by presenting Kevin with the three blankets he had managed to find for Kevin. This gift had the effect of quieting him and allowing him to relax so John could have a long heart-to-heart talk with Kevin. They talked for more than an hour as John related some of his own experiences with illness and near death. John told Kevin that his recovery inspired him to start APH and be able to help many others and hopefully Kevin also. John told Kevin you never know what God has in store for you and maybe someday Kevin too could use his experience to give hope and inspire others. This seemed to resonate with Kevin and before John left, they were hugging, and Kevin was smiling.
After John left, Kevin’s mom took a picture of Kevin sleeping while wrapped in the blanket with another one pinned on the wall. She said this was the first time she had seen Kevin smile in a very long time. She related that Kevin asked her that if something ever happened to his mom if John could be his dad. So sweet. John told Kevin that if that ever that happened, he would be Kevin’s foster parent like he had been for several other Honduran children.
With some of the money that John had given to Kevin’s Mom, she was able to travel to Tegucigalpa to seek help and treatment for Kevin at an orthopedic center. They were able to perform small operations that improved conditions around his missing foot but that was all they could do. However, this group was aware of an organization in Florida called Prosthetics and Orthotics Institute of Central Florida (POI). They made an application on Kevin’s behalf to have him treated there and to receive prosthetics for free! In September we were notified that Kevin had been accepted into the program. They would treat and rehabilitate him, but Kevin would have to raise the money for him and his Mom to travel to Orlando, find housing and meals while there and be prepared to stay for at least a month. What great news.
John immediately went into action to try to make it possible for Kevin and his Mom to come to the US. Kevin’s first appointment was scheduled for November 11, 2024. John sent money for the plane tickets to Fort Lauderdale and plans to pick them up and make the three-hour drive to Orlando. In addition, John had heard he might be able to get Kevin and his mom free housing at the Ronald MacDonald House (RMH) which was just four miles from the clinic where Kevin would be treated. John quickly made an application to RMH and we just received the happy news that he would be given 30 days free housing at RMH for him and mom.
John has made a budget for all the financial needs to make Kevin’s stay possible. We still need to raise money so that Kevin can get transportation to and from the clinic and RMH twice a day. We need to provide daily meals and finally for transportation back to Honduras when Kevin’s treatment is completed. We will be grateful for any support you can give us for this worthwhile endeavor.
It is true that Kevin is a little above the age we generally provide support for Honduran children. However, one of our key goals is to make it possible for children to get the education they need to complete high school and enter the workforce. it is hoped that meaningful employment can be gained making it possible for these children to secure a livelihood that will allow them to remain in their home country rather than migrating to the US. We feel Kevin’s case applies here since he did the necessary to obtain such employment only to have it taken away from him because of his accident. We want to restore his ability to provide for himself and be comfortable in his home environment.
If you would like to contribute to Kevin’s recovery, you many send us a check or do so through the donation section of our website. Any amount will help. We know we rely on you for a lot so if you don’t feel you can contribute, we’d appreciate you sharing this story with your friends by email or on Facebook. Helping to spread the word is very valuable.
A tip to reduce fees when contributing online. Our website sponsor charges a fee to process your donation. If you want to avoid paying this fee, you can scroll though the site to avoid this charge. APH will only be charged a much lower fee of 1.5% if you don’t want to pay the higher fee.
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