In Los Angeles County, a dedicated foster father named Sam Martinez has committed his life to providing love and support to terminally ill children. Over the past two decades, Sam has fostered more than ten children, ensuring they spend their final days enveloped in care and compassion. The county’s Department of Children and Family Services oversees around 35,000 children, with approximately 6,000 requiring assistance from the Medical Case Management Services for severe medical conditions, as reported by local news outlets.
“When we get a call about a child needing to go home on hospice, Sam is the first person who comes to mind,” shared Emily Johnson, an intake coordinator for the DCFS. “He’s the only one who will take in children who are not expected to survive.” Most other children with similar needs are typically placed in medical facilities or with nurses acting as foster parents.
Currently, Sam is caring for a 6-year-old girl named Lily, who suffers from encephalocele, a rare brain malformation. Lily is blind, deaf, paralyzed in her limbs, and experiences daily seizures. “I know she can’t hear or see, but I always talk to her,” he explained. “She has feelings, a soul. She’s a human being.” Sam has been caring for Lily since infancy, having previously fostered three other children with the same condition. “For these kids, it’s a life sentence,” he noted.
At 62 years old, Sam, a Libyan-born Muslim, rarely leaves home except for church and hospital visits. Despite the focus on medical care, the family recently celebrated Lily’s sixth birthday with a cheesecake and candles, marking the occasion with joy. “Yay! You are 6! 6! 6!” he exclaimed.
Sam began his journey in the U.S. as a college student in 1978, eventually marrying a woman named Lisa, who encouraged him to become a foster parent. They opened their home to sick children in 1989 and never looked back. The couple faced tragedy when they lost their first foster child in 1991, a girl with a spinal disorder who passed away before reaching her first birthday. “That loss deeply impacted me,” he recalled while sharing a photo of the girl.
In the mid-1990s, the couple decided to focus solely on terminally ill children, as many other foster families were unwilling to take them in. Their biological son, Ryan, was born in 1997 with brittle bone disease and dwarfism. Sam embraced Ryan’s differences, stating, “That’s how God made him.” “I love my sister,” Ryan said of Lily. “Nobody should have to endure so much pain.” At 19 years old and weighing about 65 pounds, Ryan uses a custom skateboard made by Sam to navigate the house.
The family has always been open with Ryan about his siblings’ illnesses, accepting death as a part of life. In 2000, Lisa faced her own health challenges, suffering from severe seizures, which eventually led to the strain of their marriage. They separated in 2013, and Lisa passed away about a year later.
Despite the heartache, Sam remains steadfast in his mission to care for children in need. “The key is to love them as your own,” he stated. “I know they are sick and that they will eventually die. I do my best as a human and leave the rest to God.”
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In summary, Sam Martinez has devoted his life to providing a loving home for terminally ill children, ensuring they experience compassion in their final days. His journey showcases the profound impact of unconditional love and dedication.
Keyphrase: Foster father terminally ill children
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