Help André Recover from His Stroke

My father André Sala, who I’m named for, recently suffered a stroke at age 73, which led to multiple heart surgeries, an extended hospital stay, and now, regular physical therapy and daily nurse care as he learns to walk again and tries to regain function on his left side.

He’s a father to six, grandfather to many more, husband, an artist, and published poet. For most of his life, he made his living as a children’s toy designer. His most iconic toy, the Whoozit , hangs on many strollers.

Unfortunately, my father’s medical crisis happened while he was in Thailand where he doesn’t have medical coverage. We’re so grateful to the doctors who saved his life and who continue to work to help him recover, but as you can imagine, the medical bills continue to pile up, both from the initial ER care and surgeries to the ongoing daily medical care to get him well enough to return home to Berkeley, California. The family has already paid tens of thousands of dollars toward those bills and that’s after my father depleted his savings paying the hospital that saved his life. Medicare rejected paying anything.

André is a global citizen, splitting his time between Berkeley, California, where a number of his children reside, and Thailand, his wife’s home. André was born in Paris, one of six siblings and the first of my grandparents’ children to be born in France. They emigrated from French Algeria. His twin brother passed away during the 1980s’ AIDS epidemic. André speaks four languages fluently, including his wife’s native Thai.

Here’s the good news: Our Papa is recovering. His daily physical therapy is hard work, but he’s able to take 25 steps with the aid of a cane and a steady hand. His goal is to regain enough mobility and independence to travel to the US in time for Christmas to see his kids and family. I haven’t seen him since the pandemic hit; it wasn’t safe for any of us to travel, especially pre-vaccine. I can’t wait to hug him, tell him I love him and that I’m glad the stroke didn’t do more damage. He’s eager to see his grandchildren, too, including a new one just born this spring to my younger brother and his wife.

More about my dad: He dedicated his life early on to art, publishing poetry, illustrating and painting. He’s a Buddhist who sees life and the universe through the most romantic lens. He is caring and compassionate. As a child I remember him telling me I shouldn’t hurt the snails munching on the plants he worked hard to cultivate in our garden.

Please help us help our dad return home and to pay off these crushing medical bills. Please consider supporting our fundraising campaign by sharing, commenting, or donating anything you can. Thank you.