After Tragedy, One Father Builds a Legacy of Care

Imagine facing the kind of heartbreak that could break anyone’s spirit and then turning it into hope. That’s exactly what one Belizean father has done. Jose Zelaya, now known as the ‘bedsore specialist,’ found his life’s purpose in the aftermath of tragedy. Six years ago, his son Marco was left paralyzed after a near-fatal shooting. What started as a desperate fight to keep his son alive has grown into something bigger, a mission of care, resilience, and inspiration. Tonight, News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us the story of how one man turned pain into purpose.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

When you hear the name Jose Zelaya, chances are you think of the ‘bedsore specialist.’ He’s the man people turn to when hope seems lost, restoring comfort and dignity to patients who’ve been through the worst. But what many don’t know is that this gift of his was born out of heartbreak. Six years ago, Jose’s son, Marco, was targeted in a Belize City shooting that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Out of that tragedy came a father’s determination, and a mission that’s changing lives.

 

Marco Zelaya, Belize City Resident

“And when I turn so I see bally stretch out of the vehicle with the firearm and right away I try jump over my handle. By the time I jump over my handle the first shot fire. But by the time I jump over my handle the first shot done fire and shot me in my head. By the time I the try get up and think, deh bally just drive up beside me and empty out the gun on me, shot me in my back two times, shot up me in my shoulder.”

 

Earlier today, we found Zelaya in the kitchen, preparing a baked fish dish specially tailored to meet his son’s dietary needs. Marco was hospitalized for three weeks in December and given a low chance of survival. Thanks to his father’s unwavering support, never leaving his side at the hospital, Marco pulled through three surgeries and is now back home.

 

Jose Zelaya, “Bed Sore Specialist”

“I accept it right away and I gave up everything. I gave up my job to start with. I gave up my job relationship. I give up drinking, I give up partying. I give up everything when my son ended up like this. I give up everything and up to now I am still the same. Just that God blessed me with a gift where I could go out, do the work and come back come tend to him.”

 

While hospitalized, Marco began developing bedsores from spending long periods lying and sitting. Doctors tried to manage the issue by cutting away the infected tissue, but that approach led to severe blood loss and other complications. So, in 2022 when doctors gave Jose Zelaya the green light to take his son home, he began treating the wounds. He’s been doing it successfully, and eventually turned those hard-earned skills from caring for Marco into a full-fledged career.

 

Marco Zelaya

“He dah the backbone in this journey, I can tell you right now. Apart from God that gives me the health and strength and everything, he is the backbone.”

 

Jose Zelaya

“This bedsore thing dah he. I feel my way until I learnt what all I need and it worked. It worked. So, the only way he could have gotten better and survived because of being shot up was support, a hundred percent support.”

 

Jose Zelaya is no stranger to hardship or loss. Nearly a decade ago, he stepped into the role of single father, a responsibility he embraces with pride. In 2018, one year before Marco was shot, he lost a son to gun violence. Despite the hardships and modest living conditions, what truly makes life meaningful for Marco and Jose Zelaya is the simple fact that they have each other.

 

Marco Zelaya

“I nuh wah seh we nuh have life, because we the live, everything weh we want and need in life the father makes sure we get it. So, even if it is through donations that people help us, especially through Ladyville Highlights because that is who my dad works with and through them we get a lot of help and people give contributions.”

 

Paul Lopez

“And the thing is a lot of people live in big houses and have all the resources they need at their disposal, but they don’t have this.”

 

Jose Zelaya

“And this is what we give God thanks for. With all the challenges we go through we still happy. You know what I the do right now, I the cook for my son. I the bake fish with vegetables, ground food everything. Even though we gone through that, I still happy because I still have him. We still could smile, pray together, hug each other. This nuh nothing to me. This just build me stronger.”

Through every challenge and sacrifice, Jose and Marco have drawn strength from each other. In a world where comfort is often measured by resources, their story is a powerful reminder that true wealth is found in love, connection, and gratitude. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.