Juan Fernando Argudello is proof that our spirit will always be stronger than our body.

Many mothers say that the first thing they do when they give birth to their child is to count the fingers and toes of their child. However, Dora Herrera's son, whom she named Juan, did not have fingers nor toes, since all of his extremities were missing.

The doctors at the hospital told Dora that she did not have to take her son home if she did not want to.  She could leave him abandoned at the Hospital, where they would "experiment" on him and eventually send him to live in an orphanage.  However, this was not to be considered by Dora.  This was her son, she had carried him for nine months and she was determined to give him every opportunity she could to make it in life.  She knew that her son could make it.

Juan Fernando is now 12 years old.  Despite his limitations, he is a happy, go lucky child, who never allows anyone to pity him or look at him strangely.  He never complains about his condition, he writes, draws, dances, jumps, plays soccer and does everything that a  "normal" child his age does.  Things which seemed impossible when he was born those 12 years ago come naturally to him now.

Juan lives with his mother, grandmother and his little brother, Sergio.  Theirs is a close knit, supportive family that have searched everywhere for Juan's medical treatment.

Juan's paternal grandmother lives in New Haven , Connecticut , and she found Healing the Children Northeast, also in Connecticut .  She contacted the HTC office and requested help for Juan.   Mary Tracy and Beth Ruscoe  began the arduous search to get Juan his medical care.  They went to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center who agreed to evaluate Juan and see if prostheses could be fitted on his limbs.

Juan arrived in the U.S. two months ago and immediately went to the CCMC.  While doctors were very optimistic about Juan's ability to be fitted with the prosthetic limbs, they realized that it was not going to be an easy thing to do.  Juan needed some surgeries on his limbs in order for the prosthetic devices to fit properly.

Healing the Children secured the prosthetic devises for Juan free of charge from Hangar Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc.  All of the physicians involved in Juan's care also provided their services free of charge.  However, the hospital needs to be reimbursed for the amount of time he will spend in-house. This cost is $15,000.  HTC and Juan's family are searching everywhere for a donor who will provide these funds.  

It would be a wonderful Christmas gift for Juan if he were to receive his prosthetics this year.

Although in his hometown of Medellin , Colombia , most people do not know him; his case has been on many television programs and in many newspapers.

Juan has even met the players of the local soccer team -Atletico Nacional.  He and his brother were given autographed balls by the team.  Juan has become a hero in his neighborhood, as the team visited him at his home.

I t is now 9:30 p.m. in Dora's home.  Juan interrupts his mother who is on the phone:  "Mom, aren't you going to help me with my homework?"  "Hold on Juan, wait a second, I am busy."

Quietly Juan gets his bag, takes out his notebook and with his stumps he grabs a pencil, which he accommodates well under his chin, ready to do the homework.

His mother finishes her conversation and prepares to help her son, who does not need any extra motivation to study, he loves school.  As he puts it, "they love me there."

They both get busy and Juan looks at his mother and says, "Mami, why don't I have legs and arms?"

"Do you want to hear the story?” says his mother.

"Yes," replies Juan.  Dora goes on to tell the following:

"Before you were born, God was delivering babies to all the moms, who saw you and wanted you.  They were all fighting for you.  But I begged God to give me you, I wanted this gift.  I wanted to be your mom.  However, God told me no, because you were a very special child and he could not give you to just anyone.  To be your mother I would have to love you and take very good care of you because you did not have arms and legs.  YOU needed a lot of attention,"  He said.  He asked me, "Can you give this special child all the love he deserves?"  I said yes and begged and begged until He finally gave in and gave me the biggest prize in the world: YOU!"