On October 15, 2001, Jose made his debut into the world as a premature baby. He fought hard in the hospital and he came home healthy and ready to live. From that moment on, Jose has always lived his life to the fullest, achieving anything he set his mind to. Always dedicated to studies, Jose graduated from high school in the top 3% of his class. He accepted a full academic scholarship at the University of Florida (UF), having been offered several full scholarships at other universities for his successes in tennis and academics. At UF, he dreams of joining the tennis team and graduating with high achievements. Jose fought then, and we have no doubt he will fight hard in this instance as well. We have faith he will come home healthy and ready to live.
From a very young age Jose dedicated himself to sports: swimming, baseball, soccer, basketball, and tennis, both in the city of Coral Springs and where he attended high school- Coral Springs Charter School (CSC). Jose has participated and won dozens of tournaments, competing on the Varsity Tennis team for 7 years. He was part of the 2016 tennis team that made it to the Regional Finals for the first time in Coral Springs Charter School’s history. In 2019, José became the 2019 District Champion, an achievement that gave him the opportunity to participate in the Florida State High School Competition as the only person to do so in his high school’s history. Before going to college, Jose Manuel was ranked in the top 100 in Florida Region 8 of the US Tennis Association. You would think Jose had no time for anything else, but he was also a member of various school clubs and the National Honor Society. College is no different, as he is also a member of the Honor Student Society at UF and a Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity brother.
José Manuel is a lover of health and exercise and always a leader of a healthy and active life. He was a tennis coach, an altar boy at Saint Andrews Catholic Church and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, an avid reader, self-proclaimed chef who loves to cook (especially for his family), an incredible square dancer.
All of Jose’s beautiful qualities and virtues are not gone. He is still with us, a miracle by God, and these dreams are still possible. However, medical costs (beyond what is covered by insurance) and the adaptation needs of our home and fixtures are a great challenge we are combatting. We are asking that you help us help him win the most important and difficult game of his life- regaining full motor skills and learning how to live this second chance at life.
The money raised will help cover rehabilitation therapies, equipment, services and home adaptation, medications, copays, and transportation, as well as helping us, his parents, stay close to the rehabilitation center he will be residing in. José Manuel has always been a servant to the community and will surely be a voice and inspiration to others in a similar situation.
SPANISH
El 20 de diciembre de 2020 nuestro hijo, José Manuel Castro, de 19 años, sufrió una lesión en la médula espinal. Tras la operación, un mes después, José Manuel sigue luchando por su vida.
José Manuel ha luchado para vivir desde que nació prematuro en 2001. Dedicado siempre a los estudios, se graduó de la secundaria en el top 3% de su promoción. Aceptó una beca completa académica en la Universidad de Florida (UF), tras habérsele ofrecido en otras universidades varias becas completas por sus éxitos en el tenis. En UF, sueña con graduarse y formar parte del equipo de tenis.
Desde muy pequeño se dedicó a los deportes: Natación, baseball, soccer, baloncesto y tenis, tanto en la ciudad como en su escuela Coral Springs Charter (CSC). Ha participado y ganado decenas de torneos. José compitió en el equipo Varsity Tennis durante 7 años. Formó parte del equipo de 2016 que logró llegar a las finales regionales por primera vez en la historia de las escuelas autónomas de Coral Springs. En 2019, José se convirtió en el Campeón de Distrito de 2019, un logro que le dió la oportunidad de participar en la Competencia de Escuelas Secundarias del Estado de Florida siendo la única persona en hacerlo en la historia de su escuela secundaria. En la región 8 de Florida de la Asociación de Tenis de EEUU, antes de ir al college, estaba ranqueado entre los 100 primeros. En su escuela, fue parte de varios clubes, miembro de la Sociedad de Honor, es miembro de la Sociedad de Estudiantes de Honor en su universidad y de la Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity.
José Manuel es amante de los ejercicios, de la vida sana y saludable. Es entrenador de tenis, fue monaguillo en la Iglesia Católica Saint Andrews y en la Iglesia Católica St. Elizabeth, le encanta cocinar (en especial para su familia), le encanta), bailar música country y leer libros motivacionales.
Todos estos sueños son aún posibles. Sin embargo, los costos médicos (más allá de lo cubierto por el seguro) y las necesidades de adaptación de su hogar y aditamentos son un gran reto. Ayúdanos a ayudarlo a ganar el partido más importante y difícil de su vida.
El dinero recaudado va a ayudar a cubrir las terapias de rehabilitación, equipos, servicios y adaptación del hogar, medicamentos, copagos y transporte, así como estadías cerca al centro de rehabilitación para sus padres. José Manuel está acostumbrado a servir a la comunidad y con seguridad va a ayudar a otros en situación similar cuando esté recuperado.
