50 Years of CJ: A Birthday, A Family, A Future

50 Years of CJ: A Birthday, A Family, A Future

50 years of life. A lifetime of memories. And more we get to make!

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, CJ is a Robert E. Lee class of '95 graduate. From neighborhood adventures and block parties to basketball and baseball, CJ was always on the go, ready to live, and the friend everyone could count on.

CJ's Dad, a coach and teacher, raised him to allow character and talent speak for themselves. His mom taught him to always be happy and never stop exploring. Siblings, family, friends and all in-between created the man CJ is today. Proud of this man, is an understatement. CJ is The Foundation of our family. 
Now, we get to celebrate and show him. 50 years of CJ that started with you!

Our story began in 2011. After weathering Hurricane Harvey, COVID, and our daughter's diagnosis, we moved to rural East Texas for a simpler life. Our 2022 old-and-boring plans. 

That same year, CJ was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive, terminal disease with no cure. Our old-and-boring plans failed overnight.

CJ is not a number. He is a husband, dad, grandpa, son, brother, and friend. His progression has been slower than we once feared, giving us something back, and that is time. 

Time to live and time to plan. 

CJ's kids are the reason he fights for hope everyday. John, now raising his own family, Kaitlyn preparing for life after high school, and our youngest, Joe, now 10, is growing up with a different version of Dad. CJ is Blessed and still enjoying making memories with all of them. 

For CJ's future, we want to do more than celebrate. With your support, we hope to make our home safer and more accessible with simple goals broken down into project phases:

• ramp for main home access for improved safety
• flooring upgrade for power wheelchair safety
• portable battery-powered generator

These are easy changes to help protect CJ's safety, dignity, and independence-giving him more freedom to live, not just survive. Help us celebrate CJ's 50th birthday! Bring your wallet, your pictures, your family, and your memories. 
Let's fill his birthday with the people and moments that made him who he is while helping build a safer future for the years ahead.

All Our Love Always,
The Rodriguez Family