Blind father collects trash, sells quail eggs to support family

A blind father did not let his disability stop him from providing for his family. 

As seen on a "24 Oras" report, Friday, 45-year-old Alex Ortiz collects sacks of trash to earn P250 and also sells quail eggs to augment his income.

His 12-year-old son, Jeremy, sometimes accompanies him to serve as his eyes as on the street.

"Pakiramdam na lang po. Nakakalakad din po ako mag-isa diyan papunta sa tindahan pero dahan-dahan lang. 'Pag malayuan gabay ko po 'yung anak ko," Alex said.

Alex's sight began deteriorating in 2006, but due to lack of funds, he had them checked only once on a medical mission.

Worried for him, his wife Isabel wrote to the GMA Kapuso Foundation to ask for help.

The foundation visited the family in Binangonan, Rizal and brought grocery packs to help with their immediate needs. They also took Alex to a retina and uveitis specialist at the Asian Eye institute.

Unfortunately, it was already too late to save Alex's sight.

"Wala na po siyang nakikita kahit light. In his case talagang hindi na po namin ia-advise na operahan pa," said Dr. Cheryl Arcinue.

Nevertheless, Alex is grateful to know once and for all the condition of his eyes.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News