Mexico knocked on the door of Corpus Christi, the community not only opened its doors, but its heart as well.....

Heart to heart... Community's generosity enables Mexican boy to have life-saving heart surgery


By Delia Soto
STC Associate Editor
From May 8, 2005 Edition
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Bishop Carmody presents Juan Jose Carrizales a cap bearing an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe after undergoing heart surgery.

When a family from Mexico knocked on the door of Corpus Christi, the community not only opened its doors, but its heart as well.

Corpus Christi is an all-American city with an all-American heart, said Bishop Edmond Carmody, who was proud of the city's endeavor in helping make this family's dream come true.

Reuben and Rebecca Carrizales arrived in Corpus Christi mid-April in hopes of receiving medical attention for their son, Juan Jose, who suffers from a life-threatening condition that causes the heart to become thick. The family is still mourning the sudden death of an older son who died a few months ago from the same condition.

After only two days in Corpus Christi, with the support and generosity of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-Memorial and several organizations, Juan Jose underwent surgery at no cost to the family just a few days later.

He was listed in good condition by hospital officials at a press conference held Friday, April 22, at Memorial Hospital.

It was great to see the support and involvement of doctors and the community pulling together to help this family, said Nueces County Sheriff Larry Olivares, president of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors.

Local cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Mark Morales offered his services pro bono and along with his surgical team implanted a cardioverter defibrillator. The $30,000 device, donated by Medtronics, regulates the boy's ventricular heartbeat.

At the news conference, the Carrizales family expressed their appreciation to everyone helping them fulfill their dream including Catholic Charities, Peter Banko, vice president/administrator of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial, all the nurses and staff members and those who lent a helping hand by way of prayers, shelter, food and money.

Bishop Carmody visited Juan Jose the day after his surgery to pray over him and his family. He presented the young Catholic a cap bearing an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

According to Juan Jose's parents, their 13-year-old son is a bright eighth-grade student back home in Donna, Texas, and earns good grades. The Carrizaleses are Mexican citizens, but currently reside in the Valley.

I hope to become a doctor when I grow up because I want to help people just like those who helped me here in Corpus Christi, said the grateful boy.

I am not going to forget what Corpus Christi did for me and my family, said the young boy who touched the hearts and lives of many in the Corpus Christi community.

He is our brother. We are all one and I am so proud of our city for opening their hearts to this family, said Bishop Carmody. I thank his parents for bringing him to us. He is a gift; he is God's child.