moises.jpg

The Range talked with Moises Orozco’s partner yesterday about an accident the Tucson artist had this week on Friday, Sept. 27, falling off the roof of the two-story Sculptors Resource Center and landing on a jagged metal sculpture below.

Phoebe Jenkins told us Orozco was in serious condition when he first arrived at UMC, but is expected to do well despite the serious nature of his injuries. Orozco had to have titanium rods placed in his face because when he fell on the sculpture he landed face first and he had to have a second surgery on his leg.

To help pay for his medical expenses (Orozco does not have health insurance) and expenses during what Jenkins said will be about a two-month recovery, she and other friends launched an indiegogo campaign to raise $5,000 and more. There remain 46 days on the campaign, and so far, as of this writing, more than $7,000 is pledged.

Jenkins said she was “thrilled” by the response to the campaign.

“Right now the focus is on the surgery and healing,” she said. “But of course, I feel blessed.”

Jenkins said there are some short-term memory issues and Orozco was having difficulty speaking and does not remember the fall. But the prognosis so far is good, despite the injuries from the fall to his upper body and head. He’s expected to be out of the hospital in the next day or two, and then head home to heal.

“He’s super healthy and positive,” Jenkins said. “His spirit now is very strong as well, and he’s even managed to crack a joke.”

Here’s the most recent update from the campaign’s indiegogo page:

[UPDATE (9/29): We have almost reached our goal!!!! (OMG thank you!) But we will NOT STOP THERE! The reason the goal was set so low ($5,000) was to ensure that we would reach it (IdieGogo takes a higher percentage of the proceeds if we do not reach the goal than if we reach it). In reality, OUR GOAL IS $25,000 or more. Moises is getting intense surgery, titanium implants and many days in a hospital plus is going to need major oral surgery/work at a later date. We cannot stop at $5,000. Even $25,000 will be a small contribution. Please reach out to everyone who know in any way who can help donate, auction, raise funds, etc, etc,. ] Thank you from our hearts.

Jenkins said a benefit in the works at Hotel Congress with a lot of local bands. A date will be announced soon. The Range will keep you posted.

This article appears in Sep 26 – Oct 2, 2013.

7 replies on “After Rooftop Accident, Artist Moises Orozco Needs Our Help”

  1. The man is self employed and has no health insurance, or workmans compensation. Why not? If he has no money, the state will pick up the tab under ACCESS. How about all the other people who have no health insurance and have no money? Where’s their campaign fund?

  2. Well Mr Kelly, nothing is stopping them or their families from starting their own campaigns. It’s a semi-free world Mr. Kelly, but to assume Mr. Orozco is going to have the state pu the tab is a bit presumptuous — the point of the campaign is to pay his medical fees. Maybe this is something you can do – start campaigns for other folks.

  3. I didn’t realize there was a government program entitled – “ACCESS”.

    Please tell me more about this, Mr. Kelly.

  4. Its AHCCCS —The Arizona health-plan (medicaid) that covers the unemployed, or those who are employed but make under a certain amount. Moises should ck. to see if he is eligible for this; if so, then the $$$’s raised by charity could help with his other expenses while he is unable to work.

  5. AHCCCS does not cover everybody. Until recently, those without children could not get it at all – it didn’t matter what their income was. Those of you who think it covers anyone and everyone who can’t afford their own insurance couldn’t be more wrong. Please do yourself a favor and educate yourself by reading the requirements for ACCCS.
    Mr. Orozco will probably be able to get federal disability but that will take years (the red tape is astounding) and it won’t cover his present hospital bills because he wasn’t on Gov. help beforehand. It falls to him to cover his present hospital bills and the hospital will be pestering him for it until every penny is paid.

  6. Moises would have had to fill out paper work for emergency ahcccs, in which he would have been denied. He is a wonderful person who would be out there raising funds for anyone else in his situation. He does so much to help others and the community without ever asking for anything in return. This fund raiser isn’t even being put together by him but by the people he’s helped and been there for. It’s our chance to pay it forward!

Comments are closed.