Wheels for Joaquin

From the sidelines, Joaquin Aluffi follows every play of his brother’s sports games. It is a testament to his spirit, a spirit that refuses to be dimmed by Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a gradual loss of muscle function. It begins with the weakening of the legs and hips, eventually affecting all voluntary muscles, including the heart and lungs. For Joaquin, this means the loss of his ability to walk.

The Aluffi family has always been the ones giving and the ones helping. Joaquin’s parents, Sara Martinez and Chris Aluffi, are advocates for other families facing Duchenne. They have built a strong community of support through Joaquin’s Warriors, a nonprofit aiding other families like theirs. Through their dedicated efforts, they’ve helped numerous families obtain accessible transportation and equipment. 

Now, it is their own family that needs support.

Joaquin’s condition continues to progress, making everyday tasks increasingly challenging. Every time he is moved for transfers from his power chair to their current vehicle, it is a struggle, painful and straining both the caregiver’s body and Joaquin’s. The risk of him slipping in his chair is a constant worry. The need for an accessible vehicle is not about convenience, but about giving Joaquin a quality of life where he isn’t solely dependent on his parents’ physical strength. It is about granting him the freedom to participate in life, his community, and to be a kid.

Joaquin’s well-being is the shared focus of his parents and his older brother, Lucian; their wonderful support network of family and friends is a constant source of comfort. A reliable, accessible vehicle allows other family members who can no longer lift him to safely transport Joaquin to school, doctor’s appointments, and activities that allow him to live life to the fullest.

While the Aluffi family’s need for an accessible van is clear, California law requires that non-profit funds be used exclusively for the organization’s charitable programs and services. This means that funds raised for their non-profit, Joaquin’s Warriors, cannot be used to directly purchase items for the personal benefit of the family.

This vehicle is the Aluffi family’s immediate need. They know there will be other challenges ahead, but this is a necessity now. Now, it is time for that community to rally around them, to offer the same love and support they have always extended to others. It is time to give Joaquin more freedom and the chance to live his life to the fullest.