This is Joe Salazar’s life now. Disabled from diabetes, he is the primary caretaker for both his 9-year-old son Robert and his 78-year-old friend and roommate Domingo. He lives in an old house that needs many repairs. He receives only $640 a month to support the three-person household. Lacking a working washer and dryer, he often hand washes his son’s clothes at night so they will be clean for school the next day. His artificial leg leaves him with painful skin irritations, and his old car often forces him to take public transportation.

Despite all of this, Salazar says he’s lucky.

“I feel funny asking for things,” he said. “Because I know there are people out there who need it more than me.”

Recently, Salazar was selected to be part of the Austin-American Statesman’s Season for Caring campaign, which recruits donations of money and goods for families in need.

Salazar has been a Meals on Wheels and More client for about three years now, though he often hands his meals off to Robert or his roommate Domingo, who suffered a stroke two years ago. Salazar took the elderly man in when he had no where to go.

For Salazar, it’s his relationship with his youngest son Robert that keeps him motivated and upbeat. Salazar was incarcerated for much of his oldest son’s life, and he doesn’t want to make the same mistakes with Robert.

Regardless of his previous decisions, Salazar is not one to dwell on the past.

“Life has knocks,” he said. “And you can either sit down and cry or move on. That’s what jail taught me. When that cell door closed, that became my life. When I lost my leg, that became my life. I got a boy that depends on me, so what are you going to do?”

A fourth grader, Robert clearly adores his dad. He gets good grades, is active in sports, and helps around the house, sometimes even with cooking. He likes drawing and hopes to be a doctor someday.

“He’s pretty self-sufficient. He’s had to grow up so much so fast, because we depend on each other,” Salazar said. “He’s 9, but mentally he’s 15. He’s always so worried that something is going to happen to me.”

With his oldest son in prison for gang-related crimes and Robert’s mother out of the picture, Salazar spends most of his time making sure Robert is on the right track and fixing things around his East Austin home. His artificial leg allows him to make more progress than he might be able to without it. Recently, he climbed up on the roof to patch a hole.

But the house is another concern all together. Inherited from his mother, Salazar’s siblings are now claiming that the house isn’t legally his and they are trying to sell it – a move that would put Salazar and Robert on the street. Salazar is currently seeking legal help for the issue.

“I am going to fight for it,” he said. “For us. That’s why I try to stay as healthy as I can … so I can take care of my son.”