The New Inspirational Movement

The Place of Jorge’s Death, Por Fin 2 Villa, Rincon Puerto Rico, 3pm January 15th 2007

“To lie in the arms of nature, the sea,that fluid that we once felt when were infants in the bellies of our mothers, so has Jorge returned to his Great Mother Earth and Great Father Sun, to be reunited with his now Cosmic Family, his father, his mother, and all his other ancestors, which are now transcended into spirit.”

Isis Rodriguez aka Lilly Rodriguez (hija de Lillian Diaz)

Our gratitude to my brother, two surfers, and a young man who risked their lives to rescue Jorge.And to Damaris Diaz who’s efforts to revive Jorge will always be remembered. Our Love goes out to Kurt (10 year partner of Jorge), Damaris, and all survivors of Jorge.

Me, Kurt, Niki & my cousin Jorge Diaz 1-13-07, Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico

1-15-07 The Day Jorge Died

It was around 2pm in the afternoon when Jorge Diaz, my cousin of 44 y.o, pulled into a the driveway of a villa called Por Fin 2 in Rincon Puerto Rico. Damaris, his sister, Andy his nephew, and I were in the car with Jorge. We were looking forward to visiting my mother, and the rest of my Kansas family: her boyfriend of over 10 years, Buddy, my brother Rudy and his wife Stephanie. When we got there, Jorge and Andy were excited to get into the water. The villa was right on the beach making the water accessible. As I gazed out into beach, I saw swimmers and surfers in the water, little kids running on shore, people sunning themselves. Because I never pack well for these types of outings, my mom went looking for some of her beach clothes in case I decided to swim. Jorge was already in his red floral beach shorts anticipating a swim. He was talking to Rudy and Buddy. My mother returned with a tank top and shorts and I went to put them on. When I came out, Andy was all excited because the store across the street rented boogie boards. Damaris, Andy, mom and I went to that store and Andy was off with his boogie board.

Andy, 13 y.o, nephew of Jorge Diaz and I 1-13-07

Here’s how what I saw and how I remembered the events of Jorge’s Death:

I saw Jorge waist up in the water and Andy was boogie boarding in the shallow water. I walked to the water’s edge, dipped my foot in and thought the water too cool to swim.I walked over to Stephanie who was lying down on a beach towel and we talked for a moment. I wandered around the beach watching little kids running around, a few swimmers and some surfers hanging out on shore. Suddenly, Andy ran up to me and yelled “HE’S DROWNING!!!”
For a few seconds, I studied Jorge. I could see him gasping for air and I believe he shouted “Ayudame!”
I saw several men dive into the choppy waters, Rudy my brother, a dark hair young man and two surfers on their boards.
Andy and I ran as fast as we could back to the villa to look for the cell phones. Andy found one and called 911. By the time we ran back to the beach to see what happened, Jorge was laying on the beach with two women administrating CPR. A group of people surrounded him. As we got closer, I saw Jorge unconscious and unresponsive to the CPR.
He was pale, eyes closed.
They pressed on his stomach, they pressed on his chest, they breathed into his mouth, they turn him over to get whatever water was in his lungs out of him but nothing.
Big waves crash into them forcing them to stop for a moment and pull Jorge’s body further up on shore.
Damaris was kneeling on the sand crying.
I went to comfort her and I helped her get up.
At one point she trades positions with one of the women and she starts to administer CPR.

Jorge Diaz, Damaris w her dog Diva, and me on Charlie’s boat 1-13-07

Andy is crying and so I go to calm him.I tell him that we need to be calm in this time of need for Jorge.
We hold each other and watch Damaris try and try to breath into Jorge’s mouth.
At one point, I see water and food coming out of his mouth. They keep turning him to the side to get more water out of him. It seems like forever, as they try and try to breath, pump his stomach and press on his chest to revive him. I shout out to Jorge, “Stay with us, Jorge!” “Come on buddy!” Another man shouts with me too. We are hopeful. But we are unsuccessful.
I’m getting very irritated because we called 911 what seems like long time ago.
Where are they???
By the time the paramedics came, and placed the oxygen over his mouth, he was just as lifeless.
They put him on the stretcher and took him in the ambulance.
I was still hopeful and left in a car with family following the ambulance.
We had to go thru narrow roads in neighborhoods, where dogs laid in the middle of the road and cars were stopped waiting for other cars to pass. It’s as if the world didn’t want Jorge to live.
When we got to the emergency room, we waited out side, because they weren’t letting anyone in.
After awhile, they let Damaris inside.
A few minutes later she walks out with an emergency doctor crying.
We knew he had passed away for sure. Andy lost it and we all cried. My mom, Damaris, Andy, and me all embraced. Rudy, Stephanie, and Buddy were there for extra hugs and support….

1-16-07 Tuesday The Day After Jorge’s Death

When I really start to think about things, I’m not sure if saw Jorge actually die. I think what I saw out in the ocean that day, was him taking his last breath before I turned to run with Andy in search for a phone. I believe he had already died when they brought him to shore. I think that’s why Damaris was already kneeling and crying. Being a doctor she knew. Me, I was naïve but hopeful. I just didn’t want to believe that he was dead already despite the fact that he was pale, his eyes rolled back and his body lifeless. Maybe it’s because Baywatch and all those Hollywood movies persuaded me to believe. I’ve seen the episodes where someone almost drowns at the beach, they are brought lifeless to the shore and while people administer cpr, they suddenly start coughing up water and they’re alive!!!! It’s that easy to be resurrected isn’t it?

But it’s easier to die. From the time we arrived at 2pm to the time of his death at 3pm, that’s how quick he left us. I never thought I’d witness a person drown, a long lost relative drown, someone who really wanted to reunite family with family, someone who made me feel like I was part of something again….This reunion has gone from one extreme (joy) to another (sadness).

And my mind wanders to the many times I’ve watched disasters on tv, some of them seemed so careless, like something could have been done and why wasn’t it? Now I know why….. But the thing that concerns me the most, is how people cope and the things people say when a death like this occurs. “I told him to be careful!” “People need to respect nature!” “Stop crying already. This is suppose to be your vacation!” And its those kinds of statements that make the pain deeper and the emotions take over and families split up and the next thing I know, I’ve lost another family.

isis rodriguez 1-21-07