A woman writes about her younger brother, who refuses to let life knock him down.

My brother, Armando Reymand, doesn't believe in quitting, or in the words 'I can't." 

Armando is 17 years old.  I am 28.

He has the most positive outlook I have ever seen.  Armando has been through much in life.  Much more than anyone has a right to go through.

He was born with spina bifida that left him paralyzed.  He has been in and out of the hospital on numerous occasions.  Most were for infections or surgeries.  He doesn't let anything get him down.

Armando makes me glad to be his sister.  When he isn't sick or hospitalized, he keeps busy by serving as an usher at our church as he is able.  He loves meeting people and giving them encouraging hugs or smiles.

He knows everybody.  Armando doesn't know a stranger.

He helps out every month at the local food pantry.  His job is boxing up food for those who need food.  He will tell people that God loves them; so does he; and that he is praying for them.

Armando is absolutely amazing!

Besides his health, he has lost friends to cancer, accidents, or complications from diseases or surgery.  He has been shipped from school to school, because no one knew what to do with him.  (In addition to the spina bifida, Armando has learning disabilities.)

One would think,with all that he's endured, that he would give up.  That is not the case.  It just makes him that much more determined to prove people wrong, that he can do it, especially his doctors.

(End of Part One)