Roxanne Carmona sits with her daughter, Rae, 5, for a portrait in the minivan the family of six has been living in, Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Port St. Lucie. “I don’t want them to think that they need to do something to help,” said Carmona. “My 8-year-old got a $20 gift card from my mom for her birthday and she was like, ‘Mommy, I can buy a house with it.’ It’s heartbreaking because I don’t want them to grow up and remember this. I try to make it fun for them.”
Seventeen-month-old Zay helps bring a bag to the minivan as the family of six pack all their belongings before checking out of the hotel in the morning Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Best Western in Port St. Lucie.
Dr. Miladys Palau-Collazo measures Roxanne Carmona’s 17-month-old son, Zay, during a monthly exam, Thursday, April 14, 2022, at the Pediatric Endocrine and Metabolic Center of Florida in Port St. Lucie. Zay is seen by Palau-Collazo every one or two months for a condition called aldosterone synthase deficiency Type 2 (ASD), a condition where the body can’t regulate salt or potassium levels. The condition is hard to diagnose, extremely rare, and can be deadly, Palau-Collazo said. Zay is the only case she’s treated in her 10-year career. He requires daily oral medication, monthly blood work, and frequent pediatric cardiologist visits. “My son’s doctor is here,” said Carmona. “That’s another main reason why I want to stay here (on the Treasure Coast). His doctor is just amazing with him.”
Ian Carmona sorts through packages at the Amazon distribution center in St. Lucie County on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. After his full-time job, Carmona sometimes picks up Amazon Flex shifts to make extra money. His family of four children and wife deliver the packages with him until around 11 p.m.
Roxanne Carmona comforts her sick daughter Ky, 3, Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Best Western in Port St. Lucie.
Roxanne Carmona puts 17-month-old Zay into his carseat after his appointment at the Pediatric Endocrine and Metabolic Center of Florida on Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Port St. Lucie. Carmona wrote "Help us find a home" on the window of the minivan in hopes to find a house to rent.
Roxanne Carmona calls apartment listings while her daughter, Ky, 3, and son Zay, 1, watch television Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at the Best Western in Port St. Lucie. "I called around four or five places this morning alone and all of those aren't available," said Carmona. "The places that have three bedrooms in our price range have a long wait time. The one I just called earlier didn't have anything until August. Some of the other places were two-year waits. I can't wait that long."
The Carmona family toothbrushes rest on a counter Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at a Best Western in Port St. Lucie.
Roxanne Carmona spends some time with Ky, 3, as her 17-month-old son sleeps in the van while waiting to pick up her other two daughters Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at West Gate K-8 School in Port St. Lucie. "I want to stay here," said Carmona. "The area is an ideal place to raise kids. My kids love it here, they have their friends, their school and their whole lives are here."