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E-mail StorySHARE 2006: Man, teen son face hardships with grace
Language limits pose daily challenges, but devotion 'heartwarming'
| Saturday, Dec 2 2006 8:25 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Nov 28 2007 3:21 PM
Teofilo Lugo-Rodriguez is far from the beaches and farms of Puerto Rico, but the island where he grew up remains an important part of his life.
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Teofilo Lugo-Rodriguez stands behind his son, Justo Lugo, in their living room. Lugo-Rodriguez, an immigrant from Puerto Rico, is raising his son as a single father.
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When the Lamont resident cooks, it's Puerto Rican dishes, like rice and beans and chicken soup.
"He's the best cook," said his son, 18-year-old Justo Lugo.
Lugo-Rodriguez likes to garden, particularly vegetables like peas and corn as well as sugar cane and chiles, both of which are grown in Puerto Rico.
In addition, Lugo-Rodriguez has tried to instill in Lugo, the youngest of his 11 children, the virtues of hard work and courtesy.
"They work hard over there," said Mary Tanguma, translating from Spanish for Lugo-Rodriguez.
At 76, Lugo-Rodriguez has earned the right to rest.
But then who would take care of Lugo, who has developmental needs that require assistance.
Lugo-Rodriguez is a single parent and Lugo's primary caregiver. Justo occasionally sees his mother, who lives in the area.
Lugo and his father face challenges unknown to many families. Lugo-Rodriguez knows little English, and his ability to read and write in Spanish is limited. He left school in the fourth grade to work.
Lugo has difficulties reading and writing in English, as well.
Sometimes they go to Cynthia Quispe, Lugo's social worker at Kern Regional Center, for help understanding bills and documents that come in the mail. And sometimes, because they couldn't understand what they were reading, the deadlines for submitting the forms or bills have been missed, occasionally causing Lugo or his dad to lose some of their benefits, such as Medi-Cal or Social Security.
The family is currently living off Lugo-Rodriguez's retirement benefits, which amount to $500 a month, and working to reinstate their health coverage and Lugo's Social Security benefits. Even when they receive all the public benefits they have coming to them, their finances are very tight, Quispe said.
Quispe nominated Lugo and his father for Share the Season because, she said in an e-mail, "even though their circumstances may be humble or difficult at times, they consistently maintain gracious and positive attitudes. They are grateful and appreciative for any assistance they receive."
She added: "This father and son's devotion to each other is heartwarming."
"He's the best dad I ever had!" Lugo recently exclaimed.
Lugo spoke from his living room, his father by his side.
It was a modest room, the furniture consisting of two couches and two recliners, all worn from use. A small Puerto Rican flag was tacked to one wall.
Tall and lanky, Lugo is a friendly young man with a big smile and warm eyes.
Lugo-Rodriguez described his son as happy-go-lucky. Everyone likes him, he said, and he stays out of trouble.
"He's a good kid," he said.
Lugo-Rodriguez is more compact than his son. He has a gentle face etched with laugh lines.
Together, Lugo-Rodriguez and his son go to the store, do yard work and chores around the house and visit family and friends in town.
"They're well-liked," Quispe said.
Lugo likes to watch wrestling on TV, listen to music, play video games and eat.
"I love Puerto Rican food," he said.
Lugo-Rodriguez is shy about asking for anything for Christmas. He said he's never been part of something like Share the Season. But if someone gave him gift cards for gasoline and groceries this Christmas, he would be happy.
When pressed, he conceded he could use a jacket, slacks and shoes. And a watch would be nice. The strap on the one he uses is broken.
Quispe would like to see the family get a small filing cabinet for storing bills and important papers.
Being a teenager, Lugo would be thrilled if he got a CD for Christmas, especially if it was "King of Kings" by Puerto Rican artist Don Omar.
He'd also like cologne, not for himself but to give to his dad for Christmas.
Lugo is a senior in high school. His favorite class is vocational education, where he said he's learning how to get a job.
He'd like to go to college and study computers. "They're fun," he said.
Lugo-Rodriguez worries about his son's future. He noted he's the one who has raised Lugo and he's getting older.
Lugo would like to move to Puerto Rico with his father after he graduates from high school. Lugo-Rodriguez is considering it.
Lugo-Rodriguez said, via Tanguma, that he is "happy, he can't complain," but he does miss the island where he grew up.
Family wish list
Justo, age 18: Jacket (large in men’s sizes); watch (gold colored preferred); wallet; undershirts (size medium); “Me&U” CD by Cassie; “WWF WrestleMania 2000” and “WWF No Mercy” video games (Nintendo 64); Nintendo video control; cologne (to give his father for Christmas).
Teofilo, age 76: Jacket (medium in men’s sizes); slacks (33-by-29-inch slacks); rake; pruning shears; dress shoes (size 61⁄2); watch; undershirts (size medium); wallet.
Family: Small file cabinet for bills and important papers; blankets; curtains (length, 71 inches); gas station gift card; grocery store gift card.
Kern Regional Center
3200 N. Sillect Ave.
Bakersfield 93308
327-8531
Kern Regional Center provides support and services to people with developmental disabilities so they may lead independent, productive and satisfying lives. KRC is a private, not-for-profit agency. It has nearly 6,000 clients in Kern, Inyo and Mono counties.
Source: Kern Regional Center