When life throws us nothing but curveballs and steep hills, having a successful life seems impossible. We all have valleys and we are usually able to pull ourselves up and onto the next mountaintop. This was not necessarily the case for Harvin.
At the young age of three, Harvin Alejandro Cruz Sotelo started experiencing the effects of a rare congenital anomaly called distal arthrogryposis. His hands and feet began contracting, eventually making it nearly impossible to use his fingers and toes.
Growing up in rural Nicaragua has many challenges, but this is one Harvin’s mother, Jacinta, never thought she would have to worry about for her son. As a single mother, she had enough to worry about as she fought to provide basics for young Harvin. In an act of desperation, Jacinta turned to Rainbow Network with a plea to help her son.
Now, at twenty-two years old, Harvin has withgone thirty-four surgeries. Thirty-four! Each surgery helped stretch or extend his tendons so that he could regain function of his hands and feet.
At times, Harvin struggled to walk and even hold a pencil. This did not prevent him from attending his doctor appointments, therapy, and even school. He inherited a deep determination from his mother, and he has not allowed this unfortunate anomaly to keep him from living a full life.
Last December, Harvin defeated all odds and graduated. Not from high school, but from teaching school! We are incredibly proud of him and his accomplishments. Can you imagine the impact he will have on young students as they look up to Harvin and his great testimony?
It is unthinkable what life would have been like for Harvin and Jacinta had Rainbow Network not been in their community of Hilapo 2. Our team and Harvin’s family have no doubt that God crossed our paths so that we would be there to support this special family.
Would you help make sure that we have the resources to cross paths with more people like Harvin? While our services are currently available to 59,000 rural Nicaraguans, there are hundreds of thousands more who need our help.
Each gift that we receive helps people like Harvin have a full and successful life. Each day of life is something to celebrate, especially for Harvin.
Will you help us?
Click HERE to learn more or make your impact today. Thank you for your generous support and for dedicating your life to changing lives like Harvin's.
Megan Herrera
