Coda son recovering from severe Covid-19 case
Two months ago, “The Daily Moth” did a story on a deaf mother from Texas, Amanda Castro, and her Coda son, Juvencio “Juve,” who was fighting a severe Covid-19 infection he contracted during a family gathering in Tennessee before Christmas. He was hospitalized for months, was near death, and was dependent on several life support machines.
[Image of Juve intubated and unconscious on a hospital bed]
We have a positive update from Amanda: Juve has made a major recovery, no longer needs the machines except for some oxygen, and was able to fly back to Texas a few days ago.
[Video clip of Juve on a stretcher outside of a medical building, being adored by family and friends]
Juve still needs rehabilitation with his lungs, to learn how to breathe by himself again. He has been speaking with his voice for over a week.
Amanda Castro: He’s still on a wheelchair, but he moves by himself. He is standing up mostly by himself now.
Amanda has been regularly posting updates on her Facebook group named “Juvencio’s Journey.” His son’s health started to improve in February but there was an emotional moment of vulnerability when Juve was removed from his ECMO machine, which provides support to the heart and lungs.
Amanda Castro: I’ve felt he was dependent on machines for a long time. To keep him alive. Wow. I guess it’s hitting me now. But anyways. I’m scared of losing him. But. Pray or his tests…
But from that moment of vulnerability and nervousness, Juve made major strides in recovering.
[Video clip of Juve standing up, clapping hands, and eating with the help of nurses]
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[SPONSORED VIDEO FROM DEAFOPIA]
Amanda said the outpouring of prayers made a difference.
Amanda: There were so many prayers. Even international people prayed for him. The doctor said they believed that prayers did help with his recovery. It is a miracle.
Amanda also explained that Juve was able to communicate in ASL when he was heavily sedated or intubated, and she thinks it helped with his recovery.
Amanda Castro: He does express things such as not feeling right about something. We could check and treat right away. So ASL is the best. It helped with his recovery process.
Amanda said she’s run through her savings and the trips to the hospital impacted her online jewelry business, but she is grateful for her husband’s health insurance plan. The family set up an online fundraiser and Amanda has resumed selling jewelry. Links to both pages are in the transcript.
We wish Juve and Amanda the best as they continue to recover.
FB “Juvencio’s Journey”: https://www.facebook.com/groups/720543605500626
FB Amanda C Razzi Shop!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/570465456841304/permalink/803967003491147/
DonorBox Crowdfunding: https://donorbox.org/castro?fbclid=IwAR2_IVNUvyxFFIKH3tkincNYO027HVTjP8oljcaSDXILciCyztIUnuMQric
Moth report on 1/22/2021: https://www.dailymoth.com/blog/deaf-mom-describes-coda-sons-battle-against-covid-19