My name is Edgar Ortiz and I would like to share my testimony. I am 26 years old and I was born with Cerebral Palsy on March 6, 1989 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, because my dad abused my mother when she was pregnant. Caring for me was hard for my mother and eventually she become abusive to me also. Eventually my brothers started abused me when I was on my childhood because of my disability. This is the story of my journey.

I attended Maria C. Sanchez Elementary School in 1994 where I started receiving therapy. In 2000 I attended South Middle School with high honors and I was transfer to East Hartford Middle School in 2003. I graduated from East Hartford High School in 2008 with high honor. The reason I decide to come to MCC because I am interesting in the Criminal Justice Major because I graduated from the Manchester and East Hartford Police Citizens Academy where I had hand on experience. The first person that I met at MCC was Joseph Navarra and Officer Wilfredo Agudo. I am grateful that I took English 9000 because it had gave me the opportunity to return to college after two years that I been out from school.

I was abused by my youngest brothers Jose and David when I was 10th year old. They use to beat me, bite me, kick me and try to stab me with a knife. My life was a living hell when I was living with my family. The only thing I was wishing was to be dead because I was sick and tired of been abused by my brothers.

I decided to move out when I was 18 to start my own life. It was time to move on and stray away from my abusive childhood. I could no longer deal with not being loved and taken care of properly. Everything I've been through has made me want to become something most would think I never could. I am interested in diamonds, nice clothes, and making money by acquiring investments. Friends encourage me to become a modeling.

There’s not much I can do to make money besides invest in things that I feel make good money. Finding a job has always been hard for me, based on my physical appearance most if not all think I am not capable of doing “the job right” unfortunately this may be true. However, I find that I am smart enough to get involved in a technical job, or sales job. Though my speech problems get in the way due to brain damage after suffering from my abuse, I have a good personality and always find a way to get what I have to say out.

On February 17, 2012 I was struck by a drunk driver that caused me to have a broken left femur bone. My activities are limited as a result of the accident.

My biggest prayer was that God would do a miracle to heal me from the polyps in my intestines so I didn’t need to have surgery.On July 12, 2004 I had a spinal cord surgery and I almost died. But I know that God was there protecting me my entire life. I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior on July 23, 2008. That was the best thing I have ever done for myself. He has given me the strength, and courage to continue to do my daily activities and what I find I love. My mobility may be limited but I am as independent as I can be, all thanks to god. From that day forward, I always felt stronger than before. I have accepted my flaws and learned to work through them. Though life is hard at times, I know I am going to be just fine.

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