ZENDEJAS FAMILY HOPE

Unfathomable tragedy that has hit a family very near and dear to me not once but TWICE. As a community, we are trying to gain national help for this family, who have always helped others and here is why;

My brother Dan who is 37 has three best friends. They are triplet brothers named Michael, Rich and John. Their parents, Richard Sr. and Kathleen are the parents that everyone wanted to have and often, Kathleen would be that mom when others did not have the best situation at home. Church on Sundays, and always doing for everyone else, this family.

Two years ago in December at the age of 35, one of the triplets, Michael, while working at Home Depot in his office, had a massive stroke. Today, he has re-gained enough function to recognize his friends and family but can't walk, fully speak and is currently residing in a rehabilitation facility in Walnut Creek. He has two children who are young and are struggling with not having their daddy to help them. THE WORLD'S BIGGEST RAIDERS FAN, his room is adorned with his game photos everywhere, so he can remember his second love. One of his triplet brothers who wasn't a Raiders fan, now buys season tickets to take Michael's son to the games, like he used to do.

The family, who is at his side every single day, while working through his therapy and other challenges were just preparing to bring Michael home. Plans were being set into motion to alter their family home's construction to accommodate Michael so he could go to a familiar place and be home with his family.

TRAGEDY STRIKES A SECOND TIME-

Six weeks ago after church, Kathleen, Michael's mom while walking into the rehabilitation facility directly from church to visit Mike, collapsed in the entrance, and had a major stroke. She is currently on a trachea but has retained a lot of brain function but currently has no left-sided movement and can't fully speak. She can blink her eyes to answer questions and squeeze your hand with her right hand to acknowledge you. Although she is on a trachea she is already speaking with a cap on it. She is so worried about her son Mike now 37, since she has not seen him in weeks now.

Due to the recent turn of events, one of the triplets has taken an unpaid leave from work to help his dad so they each be at the mom's or son's physical therapy sessions. They have literally been torn apart. This family is going to need major help now in altering their home, to help bring both of their family members home when the time comes. Medical bills are huge and the other triplet is continuing to work to try to keep everything afloat for them. I am hoping through this site as well as through a huge fundraiser, we can raise enough money for the family to re-structure their home's bottom floor, as well as purchase a used cargo van, which they will need to bring their family home. Their current old car will definitely not fit wheel chairs.

This is truly a time when we can all come together to have a huge impact on one single, deserving family. I'll do whatever I can but I am one person and I need help to help them. I have contacted via email Home Depot, the Raiders and others, to no avail. This is a very sad situation and I know this nation can help if we all work together.

Please help me. These people would give a stranger the shirt off their backs.