Christian Lopez Trenche

MIRACLE OF LIFE

While it’s true that man’s worst enemy has for many years been war, the war I laugh at is the war of haste—like the rush of the newspapers or the out-of-bound cars that transit our streets and become “murderers” of our own destiny.

Today, even as technology advances daily, much more still needs to be done. It’s not society, it’s not the laws—it’s our principles and values that are being thrown overboard. Too often, innocent lives are ruined on the roads of our country: children, grandparents, young people with a bright future who are just beginning to live.

On the night of June 24, 1998, a car struck my son. The Almighty God allowed him to live, even in special conditions. We fought in the hospital against everything imaginable. It was good faith and love for a child that urged me to continue.

And it’s not just my personal effort—it’s love. Each of us strives to make sense of life, even when it looks like hope is lost. It’s never too late, and there are no obstacles that cannot be defeated with love, faith, and human strength.

Life showed me that for every fall, I get up twice. But life continues, and for some reason, you have to regain your strength. This is where you can truly contemplate the greatness of courage in the face of the unexpected—the warmth of friends by your side. It is a beautiful thing. The work of doctors and nurses—many of whom have suffered themselves—is equally beautiful. When you see the smile of a patient, it urges you to fight, to carry your burden. You find yourself. You discover that even the heaviest footprints are footprints of hope, the beginning of a new dawn. And from that moment on, there is no uncertain path—only the promise of our Creator.

You see a light every day that illuminates you like the light of the little Boy Jesus. Like Christian’s light when his eyes first opened after being in a coma. That reminded me he wasn’t alone. Someone was preparing us every moment—and that was God’s great love, sowing in us the inner wisdom that says: Yes! There is faith. There is love. There is genuine support from those who are by our side every day. That’s what I live with. That’s what I’m content with. Because life is simply wonderful—it is a gift from God, a miracle of love. Life is and always will be life. Every day that passes becomes a commitment.

Things with my son Christian weren’t easy. This is the first time in my entire life I’ve had to face life itself. When Christian first returned home after the accident, he observed everything. He fought with his brain. He was lost—caught between sadness and joy, pain and absence, memory loss. Before the accident, he had perfect control of everything around him for his age.

Now, it seems he doesn’t have judgment between what is right and wrong, good and bad, safe and dangerous. Christian wakes up early, opens the closets, checks everything. It’s like he’s a different child. He doesn’t like butter now, though he used to. His ability to concentrate is very limited. He can’t even focus on a geometric shape for half a minute. You have to help him go to the bathroom. He’s like a newborn child again. His curiosity about his “new world” touches me—that’s why I write down his behaviors, as if the paper were a friend listening to me.

Before, my child was aware of dangers like hot and cold. He was very independent. Now, sometimes he locks himself in his own world and makes a gesture of failure. This is where I come in. Mommy and Daddy love him. We hug him, and I say, “No matter what happens, we’ll always be your parents, your friends, and we love you very much.” He looks at us, smiles, and hugs us.

The first few months were difficult but also challenging. If it weren’t for the fighting spirit I have, I wouldn’t be here telling this story.

Christian is an extremely intelligent child. He is very beautiful, and that is why we fight—to make sure he leaves his mark on the world. Our priority is to make him strong, responsible, and capable of handling any job in the future. That is our commitment—to help him feel fulfilled and ready to face life without fear.

No hard feelings, because life is a gift, and God gave it to you. Today, Christian is 28 years old. He works, studies in college, practices karate, kung fu, and tai chi. He is happy, like any normal young man—but with his Ataxia, his desire to overcome, and a lot of enthusiasm. God is his only hope. I hope he doesn’t get into too much mischief. Promise me, Christian?

Thank you to the people who were always by our side, even without knowing us. Isn’t love wonderful?

Survivor: Christian Lopez Trenche

Caregivers: Michael Lopez and Vanessa Trenche – Christian’s Parents