The memorial service honoring young Cuban, Damir Ortiz Ramírez, is scheduled for this Wednesday, April 9, at 4:00 p.m. at the chapel of Colón Cemetery in Havana. This religious ceremony, led by Father Jorge Luis, will offer an opportunity for family, friends, and community members to bid a final farewell from the island. The details were shared on Facebook by activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia.
Salcedo emphasized that the gathering aims to celebrate Damir's life, provide spiritual support to his mother and family, and offer solace to those who closely followed his journey. "We want to say goodbye to Damir, plead for the light of paradise, and find the strength to empathize with others' pain from that deep-seated humanity within us all," the activist expressed.
Damir passed away in the early hours of Saturday, April 6, at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, after succumbing to a severe sepsis caused by a resistant bacteria contracted on the island. His situation rallied thousands of people, including activists and medical professionals both in and out of Cuba, who facilitated his urgent transfer to the United States on March 12.
Shortly after his passing, his mother, Eliannis Ramírez, shared a poignant message on Facebook. The deeply moving text, written from the depths of her grief, candidly describes the harrowing experience of a mother witnessing her child's death. Her words have been widely shared as a testament to suffering, struggle, and injustice:
"When a mother sees her child lifeless in a coffin, it feels as if death is ripping out her insides, her dreams, her hopes, her illusions, leaving behind a void so vast. It feels as though death takes her child and a part of herself, leaving a woman distant from life, just an empty vessel longing to retrieve everything that was lost."
"When a mother sees her child lifeless, she stops smiling from the heart and learns to paint on a smile each day. Her empty body feels only the pain of her soul, becoming a shadow with no will to live, viewing the world with indifference, letting time pass by, living a lifeless existence while her heart weeps because she'll never again feel her child's heartbeat, never again look to the sky and smile. Now she gazes upwards with tear-clouded eyes, searching for her child she cannot see."
"When a mother sees her child lifeless, sadness envelops her, and pain nests in her soul. The spark of life fades, leading to a journey of immense sorrow, seeking that final tear of agony that might reunite her with her greatest love, her child. When a mother sees her child lifeless, she sits beside them, and part of her departs... the part meant for the child who will never return."
"When a mother sees her child lifeless, she remains incomplete for the rest of her life."
Currently, Damir's mother has applied for political asylum in the United States, fearing potential reprisals if she returns to Cuba after publicly denouncing the medical negligence and bureaucratic hurdles they faced in their attempts to save her son's life. Damir's ashes will stay in Miami. Thus, the service at Colón Cemetery will be a symbolic farewell for the community that supported him from afar, amidst hope, sorrow, and outrage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Damir's Memorial Service
Who is organizing the memorial service for Damir Ortiz Ramírez?
The service is organized by Father Jorge Luis with details shared by activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia.
Why did Damir Ortiz Ramírez's case gain widespread attention?
Damir's case gained attention due to his severe illness caused by a resistant bacteria in Cuba, which led to an urgent campaign for his treatment in the United States.
Why is Damir's mother seeking asylum in the United States?
Damir's mother is seeking asylum due to fears of reprisal after publicly criticizing the medical negligence and bureaucratic challenges faced in Cuba.