In 2022, Javier was traveling home from work when he was involved in a vehicle accident. After a month in the hospital, Javier’s right leg was amputated. Before the accident, he was a farm laborer, earning an hourly wage. Javier worked seven days a week, 10-to-12-hour days during peak season. The hard realization that he would not be able to work as much as he had before started to settle in soon after he was released from the hospital. Using crutches or a wheelchair makes it difficult to work in agriculture. As a result, Javier had not been able to work and is no longer able to drive as his leg was amputated from the knee down. Javier’s roommates and friends provided
financial support after his accident.
Drowning in medical expenses from the accident, Javier gave up hope of being able to obtain a prosthetic leg. He was referred to the California AgrAbility Program by a volunteer from a local farmworker association. With the help of the program, Thrive Prosthetics donated the parts and labor for Javier's prosthesis, providing the foot, leg
and knee. However, the cost of the individualized limb rest was estimated to be $5,000. Despite a significant discount, the individualized piece was still unaffordable for Javier. By this point he had been unable to work for nearly a year.
To help Javier cope with the stress of losing a limb and being unable to work, California AgrAbility connected him to Mr. Arellano, who had also lost a limb the year prior. Mr. Arellano and his daughter hosted a fundraiser at their residence, inviting family and friends to make donations. A local Davis band, Bomba Fried Rice, donated a portion of one of their concert proceeds to help Javier. With the help of the community, Javier was
able to raise $5,000 to purchase the individualized limb rest to complete his prosthesis. Javier and Mr. Arellano remain good friends.
Supporting Organizations:
Bomba Fried Rice
Thrive Prosthetics