"I know I can't walk right now but I know I will eventually."
Having already suffered devastating losses, one thing that 11-year-old Max Guzman of Hammonton, NJ can still hold on to, is hope.
Back on April 10, Max, better known as MJ, was in a fatal car crash with an alleged drunk driver. MJ's best friend, Ryan Schleyer, 9, died during the crash. His father, Max Senior, was critically injured. Finally, MJ himself suffered a spinal injury which caused him to lose feeling in his legs and confined him to a wheelchair.
MJ's parents are currently divorced. With his mother, Lillian Lopez living in Philadelphia, she wants to relocate to Hammonton for her son. MJ's father is currently unable to take care of his son due to his condition.
MJ wishes to stay in his hometown of Hammonton, so that he could stay in the same school district he grew up in since kindergarten. In addition, he wants to visit his dad more often. Lillian Lopez wants to fulfill her son’s wish.
She is currently working with a Realtor who is trying to find the perfect house for the family in Hammonton.
"A renovated home with a ramp, bars in the bathroom and spacious hallways for a wheel chair," said Lopez.
MJ is currently staying with Lillian at her home in Philadelphia, which is not wheelchair-accessible. She must carry her son around as well as bathe him in a baby pool set up in her kitchen.
“Even in this situation that we’re in I’m still grateful I have my son with me.”
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So far the family has had little luck in their quest for relocation. They hope to find a wheelchair accessible home before the summer ends.
If you would like to help MJ and his family in any way, please contact his mother Lillian Lopez at lilsgreeneyes@yahoo.com.
