Gonzalo Anzurez, a 13-year-old Powell resident, is described as kind, creative and family focused.

That’s particularly true when it comes to his younger siblings. He engages with each of their interests and selflessly makes time for them, even during this year’s fair when he was out with his friends.

“Each kid, he has a special bond with. He likes to play Roblox and Pokemon with Salomón, his 8-year-old brother, and he does crafts with Espy, like making jewelry, and that's his 9-year-old sister,” Anzurez’s aunt Suzi Rivas said, relaying comments from Gonzalo’s mother Cindy. “And then he loves being big brother to Eva and Vivian who are 4 and 1.”

This summer, Gonzalo could be seen around town and in the community riding his bike. When he had some money in his pocket he liked to visit Queen Bee Gardens for treats and local thrift stores — a trailer on the back of his bike would transport his thrifty finds. He’s been hunting with Polestar, swimming with the Powell Piranhas and a member of Powell Middle School’s chess, Lego, robotics and art clubs.  This summer he attended the Whisky Mountain Conservation Camp with Wyoming Game and Fish. It was his first sleep away summer camp.

Gonzalo was preparing to start eighth grade at Powell Middle School when on Aug. 1, he was seriously injured in a car accident. Early that morning the vehicle he was traveling in struck a street sweeper on Coulter Avenue and South Edmonds Street, according to a post on a page set up to support him and his family. The accident required a flight to Denver to receive treatment for a broken and dislocated neck at the C4 and C5 vertebrae. The injury to his C4 vertebrae is a complete spinal cord injury, which has paralyzed him from his shoulders down.

But Gonzalo has exhibited calm during his stay in Denver, which helps the doctors administer his treatment.

“He's a calm kid, which is giving the doctors a lot of time to be able to make the right decisions, because sometimes when kids are anxious, then they can't, I don't know, take things quite as slow,” Rivas said. 

While there Gonzalo has made a friend in Huckins, the medical dog, who makes the occasional visit to his room. Gonzalo is also a music lover and he frequently plays music — usually 90’s alternative or indie rock, but at night he likes classical music to calm down, something that has continued since his hospital stay and has been a big comfort to him, Rivas said. 

Immediately following the accident one of the first things Gonzalo did was ask about his siblings, she said. Two of them were also in the vehicle at the time of the accident and received minor injuries.

“His number one concern is always his siblings,” Rivas said. 

After his initial surgery they were able to show him videos of his brother and sisters so he knew they were doing OK.

His siblings have also kept him in mind, talking about who is on Team Gonzalo. The phrase has been used for each of the children in the Anzurez house over the years — it means they are not alone and people want them to succeed, Cindy and Suzi explained. 

While Anzurez recovers in Denver, his parents have been doing what they can to be by his bedside while also caring for the younger siblings and managing their business. 

Gonzalo will be in Denver for several months, at which time he will be fitted for a specialized wheelchair, Cindy said in a Sunday update on GoFundMe.

“Even though we pray for miracles, I know that this is his current state. We are raising the GoFundMe amount to help get a secure environment created for Gonzalo. An environment that he will be able to navigate and thrive in. This will also help me stay by Gonzalo's side as he needs me in Denver,” Cindy said in a GoFundMe post on Sunday.

In order to help Anzurez and his family during this difficult time both a meal train and GoFundMe have been created that can be visited below:

gofundme.com/f/rally-4-gonzalo-anzurez

mealtrain.com/trains/m4ydw3

For updates on Gonazalo’s condition and fundraising information people can visit Rally4Gonzalo - Gonzalo Anzurez- Powell, WY on Facebook.