Blue Umbrella Official Blue Umbrella Summer Issue | Page 21

Fast for war d
to the present day, and Edwin Rodriguez is back
in his small Honduran town and is enjoying every
second of it. He returned a year ago, and he has
lived in a wheelchair since then. The train
accident was about a year and a half ago. He
stayed at the shelter until he was fully recovered
and then with the help of friends he met there,
he got home. Nevertheless, he hasn?t let his
condition get the better of him. He teaches
English, math, and the Bible to the little kids in
his village. He also preaches at church and is the
goalie of his football team. Edwin also paints
murals throughout his town.
I first read Edwin?s story in an email from FabLab,
the company that was going to design and make
the prosthesis. They contacted my art school
asking the director if ten of her students could be
a part of this project. There were ten patients,
Edwin amongst them, and each of us would get
one of their stories. I got Edwin. Our task was to
paint a wooden box in which they would store
their prosthesis.
Monica's art c lass
Monica with Edwin Rodriguez
March 23 was the day of the ceremony. I
had painted a landscape on my box
because the email said Edwin?s favorite
thing to paint in his murals were
landscapes. He loved the box and he
was overflowing with joy when the
doctors put his prosthesis on.
This experience taught me that not all
people who cross the American border
illegally are bad people. I agree that it?s
wrong, but some people see it as their
only option. Edwin tried to cross because
of his mom. She is sick and he did not
have the money to pay for a doctor. Now,
he says he leaves it in God?s hands,
because he can?t do anything about it
now. His story is truly a remarkable one.
Edwin refuses to let his present
condition get the better of him. He looks
for the positive in every situation and
continues to rely on God.