A Cuban doctor, part of the family doctor system, has received a rechargeable fan from Miami for her son with special needs after their story struck a chord on social media.
Zuleidy Martínez captured the hearts of many when she shared a photo of her 15-year-old son, Ángel, lying on the floor of their home with the poignant caption, "How much longer, my God?"
Journalist Javier Díaz featured this story on Univision 23, sparking a wave of compassion and assistance from Miami.
Born with cerebral palsy, Ángel is unable to care for himself. "He's bedridden, a child we feed ourselves; he can't do anything on his own," the doctor explained in the report. Her husband, Darian Casanova, left his job to care for Ángel full-time, while she continues to see patients daily. The couple also has two other young children.
Life Under One Roof
The family does not own a home; Dr. Martínez practices from the family doctor's clinic, as it is the only roof over their heads. Their challenges are compounded by a broken refrigerator that cannot be replaced and the government's refusal to provide even a solar panel for Ángel's needs.
Moved by the image of Ángel on the floor, a Miami resident sent monetary support to the family, enabling them to purchase a rechargeable fan—a luxury in Cuba amid its severe energy crisis. "We are deeply grateful to this young lady for helping us get a small rechargeable fan because we couldn't even get the government to provide a solar panel for his disability," the doctor expressed.
Enduring Hardships
Despite these hardships, Dr. Martínez remains committed to her calling. "Day by day, I care for my community, loving and supporting my pregnant patients so they don't go through what I did, and striving for a better life for my children," she stated.
The story generated significant reaction on social media. Leidanys Fleites Rodriguez, a neighbor, confirmed that Dr. Martínez is indeed her family doctor and praised Casanova as "a wonderful father, unconditional with his three children, but with Ángel, he moved heaven and earth." She added, "We are living, or rather surviving, very difficult times in every sense, and when you have a child or others with limitations, it’s even harder."
Lety Almeida, another user, voiced concern over potential repercussions for the doctor: "I sincerely hope the government does not retaliate against her, but instead supports her. They have so many resources and opportunities to show they truly back and value their professionals."
The fear of backlash is a persistent element among Cuban mothers with disabled children who openly denounce their situation, facing a state that consistently denies them genuine institutional support. Yanelis Rafaela Castillo echoed this sentiment: "It's not easy. You can't be blind to reality. And it's not just them; thousands of mothers go through the same."
A Broader Crisis
This family's plight is not unique. According to the IX Report by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, 94% of Cubans live in extreme poverty, up from 89% reported in 2025.
The Univision 23 report also highlighted that over 41,000 children in Cuba have special needs, and nearly 100,000 families are waiting for housing in a nation where the housing deficit tops 800,000 units.
Challenges Facing Special Needs Families in Cuba
What sparked the support for Zuleidy Martínez's family?
A photo shared by Zuleidy Martínez of her son Ángel on the floor with a plea for help touched many hearts, leading to coverage by Univision 23 and subsequent support from Miami.
How does the Cuban government respond to families with special needs?
Many families report a lack of genuine institutional support from the Cuban government, which often denies necessary resources such as housing and energy solutions for those with special needs.
What are the broader implications of the housing crisis in Cuba?
The housing crisis in Cuba affects nearly 100,000 families waiting for homes, contributing to the extreme poverty experienced by 94% of the population, as noted by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights.