Hialeah man with Down syndrome needs a new computer to reconnect with the world
Eduardo Perez is a vibrant young man from Hialeah whose spirit radiates despite the challenges he has faced. Born in Camagüey, Cuba, with Down syndrome, he has the heart and mind of a young boy in the body of a 30-year-old man. He is bright, enthusiastic, outgoing, and full of life, with a passion for dancing and watching YouTube music videos.
Perez and his mother, Xiomara Gonzalez, moved from Cuba to Hialeah 16 years ago. He couldn’t learn to read and write due to hypoxia — low oxygen — at birth. He attended Hialeah Senior High School and later continued his education at Success at Work, a center dedicated to education and training for adults with disabilities. Perez goes there every day to learn new skills and connect with others, proudly adding that he has a girlfriend.
Despite these obstacles, Perez is remarkably tech-savvy. He can search for his favorite artists on YouTube. In the past, Perez would complete his homework and enjoy music and games on his old HP Pavilion computer, which broke down so long ago that his mother couldn’t remember when it stopped working. Since then, his access to music, games, and educational resources has been severely limited, and he now relies on his smartphone, which restricts his activities.
Perez dances with a sense of rhythm, passion, and confidence that rival seasoned Latin dancers. His movements are full of grace, and the joy he feels when he dances is palpable. His energy and love for life are infectious, showing the world how to find happiness and express it without limits.
“I like Cuban music, and I collect baseball caps,” said Perez. Among his collection is a MAGA cap, which he mentioned he kept because it was popular among his friends who were big fans of the president-elect Donald J. Trump.
When Perez talks about music, especially the Latin rhythms that have been a part of his life for as long as he can remember, his eyes light up with joy. But there is a bittersweet moment when he recalls his old computer, which once connected him to the world of music and helped him with his homework. Now, he struggles with the limitations of his smartphone, which falls short of meeting his needs.
“I dream of having a computer that works again,” Perez said in Spanish. The computer that broke down was a gift, but it was used and already old when he received it. Eventually, it stopped working. He used to rely on it to watch videos and improve his computer skills.
Perez was nominated for assistance from Wish Book by Spinal Cord Living Assistance Development, Inc. (SCLAD), a Hialeah-based nonprofit that supports people with disabilities by providing housing, job training, and other services aimed at promoting independent living.
Perez and his mother live in a two-bedroom SCLAD apartment on East Second Avenue in Hialeah, where they pay $514 in rent—significantly lower than the city’s average, which now exceeds $2,000 for an apartment. Perez receives a monthly disability check for $700. His 63-year-old mother works part-time at an adult care facility in Miami, earning a little over $900 per month. She also receives a $250 retirement check. They cannot afford to buy a new computer.
With his 31st birthday coming up on Christmas Day, Perez would like a new desktop computer to help him with his homework and reconnect with the music he loves.
How to help
To help this Wish Book nominee and more than 100 others who are in need this year:
▪ To donate, use the coupon found in the newspaper or pay securely online through www.MiamiHerald.com/wishbook
▪ For more information, call 305-376-2906 or email Wishbook@MiamiHerald.com
▪ The most requested items are often laptops and tablets for school, furniture, and accessible vans
▪ Read all Wish Book stories on www.MiamiHerald.com/wishbook
