In the peaceful community of Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal, Ricardo Gamale Jr. is quietly adjusting to a life he never imagined. Once a hardworking private driver, Ricardo is now learning to navigate the world again after suffering a stroke in March 2025—a sudden event that turned his life upside down.
Born and raised in North Cotabato, Ricardo moved to Luzon in search of better opportunities. Though he has four siblings, all of them remain in Mindanao. In Luzon, it is his cousin who now cares for him. They live together in her modest home, along with her husband and two children.
“He’s still trying to process everything,” Ricardo’s cousin shared. “Before the stroke, he was always working. He was strong, independent. Now, he can’t move on his own and can’t speak. It’s been hard.”
Ricardo is single but has had two long-term partners. From his first partner, he has a child who now lives in Bulacan with the mother’s family. His most recent partner left to work overseas and eventually lost contact with him completely. With no immediate family nearby, it is his cousin who has taken on the full responsibility of his care.
“We’re the only family he has here in Luzon,” she said. “Even though it’s difficult, we do our best to take care of him.”
The cousin works by selling fish in the local community, while her husband takes on carpentry jobs. Neither of them has a stable income. Still, they make sure Ricardo has food, shelter, clothing, and someone to lean on.
“Sometimes he cries,” she shared quietly. “It’s painful for him. But we remind him that he’s not alone.”
When Operation Blessing visited Daraitan for a wheelchair distribution mission, Ricardo received his very first wheelchair—a gift that brought immediate relief and long-term impact.
“This wheelchair is such a big help,” said his cousin. “Before, we had to carry him everywhere. Now he can move around the house more easily. He can even go outside and feel the sun.”
Though Ricardo cannot speak, his quiet gratitude is felt deeply by those around him. The wheelchair has given him a renewed sense of dignity, and a small but powerful step toward rebuilding a life with hope.
“This is a blessing,” his cousin said with a grateful smile. “Thank you for helping us carry this burden. You’ve made things a little lighter.”
In every turn of the wheels, Ricardo moves forward—not just physically, but emotionally. Thanks to the compassion of others, he is not facing this journey alone.