Hola!  Feliz Navidad!

My name is Antonio Garza Miguel Ortiz, but most people, they call me "Greco".  I don't know why; they just do.

I am sixteen years old.  I live with my familia in Santa Fe, Texas, which is in the southeastern part of the state.  It's not too far from Houston or Galveston.  I was born in Houston, but we moved here five years ago, when I was 11; we moved here to get away from the noise, congestion, and crime that is so commonplace in Houston.

I have my parents of course (mi parentes), but I also have my brothers and sisters.  There are 10 of us.  I'm the oldest.  My brothers (hermanos) are named Edgar, Tomas, Juano, Armando, and Hector.  My sisters (hermanas) are Yasmin, Yolanda, Carmelita, and Miracle (Mira).  We kids range in age from 16 (me) down to six.  We are all one year apart from each other; we are a typical "stairs-and-steps" family.

I am disabled.  I was born this way. I have spina bifida, which basically means that I was born with an incomplete spine.  Because of it, I use a wheelchair to get around.  I did walk with crutches clamped to my forearms, but my leg bones are weak, and I could risk serious complications if I fall, so I primarily use my chair now.  It's a lot easier for me to get by. 

I have had many surgeries; the first one was performed when I was only days old.  I don't like being in the hospital, but compared to where I was, I am doing much better.  I thank the Lord God for that.  He has really been instrumental in my life and in the lives of my family.

I don't know what I would do without God.  I would be a lot worse off.  I accepted Jesus Christ as my saviour when I was ten and it turned out to be the best thing I have ever done.  God has really been blessing me!

Some of my interests include singing, playing the trumpet or French horn, writing songs and poems, writing stories, helping out at my church, reading, traveling, going to the beach (Galveston), hanging out with my friends, wheelchair dancing, wheelchair basketball, and playing baseball on a team for kids who have special needs or disabilities.  I get so much out of life!

I don't like being disabled, but it's the way God designed me, so I have to be content and count my blessings.  I have learned that I have many blessings and I am a lot better off than a lot of people.  God has brought me through so many things and I am indeed grateful.  Very much so!

Well, today we are going to help pass out toys to the homeless at my church, so I'd best get going.  I will write in here again; until later, this is Greco Ortiz saying adios! Hasta luego y Feliz Navidad!

~Greco.

~To be continued.~