KENTWOOD, Mich. — In December of 2023, Mirelis Roque spoke to 13 ON YOUR SIDE inside her home. Her daughter, Mirelis Culbeiux, lay in her medical bed as her mother described how their lives had changed since Culbeiux survived a crash in July 2021 on US-131.
Requiring 24-hour care, Roque, a single mother herself, spoke on how their wheelchair-accessible van was becoming more unreliable, putting more strain on them as Roque must take her daughter to frequent doctor visits due to her condition often changing.
Their old van began losing options for repairs, and it became more difficult for Roque and their nurse to make sure Culbeiux stayed secure.
This month, Be A Ruby, a Grandville non-profit, learned of their situation.
On Tuesday afternoon, a new van drove into Roque's driveway.
"When you fight in this life with faith, a lot of things come to you," said Roque, who was moved to tears upon seeing the new van arrive.
This past week, Roque said she had to take her daughter to the hospital three times due to her condition.
"When I am in the hospital, I need support to get her down, going in the hospital, and somebody need [to do] parking for us," said Roque, adding that she feared her old van would break down on the freeway while trying to get to the hospital. "Now I I feel more safe. Exactly what I want."
The new van was previously part of a fleet for a local medical transportation company, so it comes with safety features designed for those in their situation.
Lily Krouskop, a close friend of Roque and her daughter, said even though their lives have changed too much over the past few years, Roque's spirit has never broken.
'She's a widow. This is her only child," said Krouskop. "I seriously think that she has become almost a doctor. She has learned so many things, and she does it with so much love, with a great attitude, and being a widow, she needs so much help from our community."
"It's just amazing to be able to take the stress, the the anxiousness of 'is the van going to get somewhere when we need it?' and to take that away," said Harry Rissley, director for Be A Ruby. "Now she has a vehicle that is sound and mechanically good."
While thankful and relieved for the new van, Roque is now experiencing a new challenge.
"They definitely need a home," said Krouskop, as Roque learned three days prior that they will be unable to stay in the home she has been renting, and will need to move in 40 days.
A concern for them as Roque earns a limited income due to her having to care for her daughter full-time.
"It's my next step," said Roque.
A GoFundMe page supporting Roque and her daughter can be found here.
Those looking to help by other means can contact news@13onyourside.com.
