Making a Difference Runs in Juan Uriel's Family

For Juan Uriel and his family, generosity has always been a big part of the family's culture.

So, when the Christmas holiday came around, helping decorate at a local church in Mexico was an easy commitment. However, no one knew it would be a life-changing evening for everyone.

Juan Uriel is still unsure of how his accident happened. Then 17 years old, he only remembers picking up decorations and suddenly being electrocuted. The shock went through his right hand, up his arm, and out of his right ankle, leaving him with second- and third-degree burns across 40% of his body.

He was taken to multiple hospitals in Mexico, but doctors there did not know how to care for the teenager’s injuries and feared he could die. Juan Uriel recalls that many of the doctors wanted to amputate his arm. Soon after, the family connected with Fundación Michou Y Mau I.A.P, a foundation dedicated to preventing and treating pediatric burns in Mexico. With their help, Juan Uriel and his family were taken to Shriners Children’s Texas.

While a patient, Juan Uriel received reconstructive surgery on his arm and orthopedic care for his leg. As a teenager entering adulthood, his first concern was being able to work and provide for his family. “They wanted to do cosmetic stuff,” Juan Uriel said.