Hello,

I am reaching out to ask for your support for one of my best friends of more than 25 years. Ry is a true and genuine soul, an incredible artist and friend to many. He has gone above and beyond for his friends when they were in need. We know that many people out there have been touched by Ry’s talent, loving-kindness, and friendship. 

Last summer Ry experienced nearly four weeks of debilitating high-pressure headaches, neck pain and severe nausea (not covid). He was left with nerve damage that caused partial paralysis of his right arm. Six days in the hospital, 6 MRI's and evaluation by neurosurgeons did not provide definitive answers. Ry has lived naturally and healthfully with hydrocephalus since birth, and was aware of cysts in his brain, but did not anticipate the MRIs revealing that they occupy 20% of his skull or a new cystic mass inside his spine. Ry has moved between LA, CO and TX since, seeking a suitable environment for healing and proper healthcare specialists. Ry has been working hard at physical therapy to regain mobility in his arm and to continue to make a living, but the nature of his nerve damage and the dynamics of his hydrocephalus remains a mystery to neurologists.

 

In early February, Ry was driving from TX to CA for a shoot when he noticed a tiny cut on his left index finger had not healed after several days. An aggressive infection and inflammation set in, and within hours, he developed cellulitis affecting his arm and chest and checked himself into the ER. His finger had gotten a nasty infection, it went systemic, and necrosis set in. Since that first ER visit in early February, Ry has spent 13 more days in 3 hospitals, chasing the broken healthcare system, trying desperately to prevent his finger from being amputated. He appeared to be healing fast, but unfortunately, his finger and bone became re-infected after doctors recommended he stop taking antibiotics. The only way to keep the bone infection from spreading was to amputate part of his finger.

 

He remains in Colorado post-surgery only because of health insurance and is moving between friends' places, sleeping on couches, while administering daily antibiotics to himself through an IV line that feeds directly to his heart. The scariest part of this is that bone infection can resume and spread after many months, even years after antibiotics. Ry has been unable to work for 6 of the last 8 months, and like many filmmakers, was barely surviving for the prior 18 months of the pandemic via scarce gigs and government assistance. He wants to resume work ASAP, whether it be cinematography or marketing/strategy. Although the job market is healthy, Ry is not. He can barely type, let alone carry groceries or operate a camera.

 

Knowing Ry as well as I do, it's no surprise he has not asked for financial support. But he reluctantly agreed that he couldn’t do this alone. It breaks my heart that Ry is worrying about finances during this difficult time when his focus should be on healing. It is hard to ask for help like this, but setting up this fund for Ry is critical.

 

Please join us in lifting him up now. We are collecting funds to help Ry cover food, rent and medical bills while he rehabilitates -- to help him get back on his feet and begin his healing journey. Let’s rally as a community of Ry’s friends, family, fans and supporters to show him we’ve got his back. Financial contributions, large or small, are needed and appreciated—any amount helps. Please also offer your love, prayers and words of encouragement. We are genuinely grateful for your support. Thank you. --

 

-Bob Pagliuco