Hope for Heriberto Gonzalez
On August 29th, 2012, Heriberto Gonzalez was found on the floor unresponsive by his girlfriend, Brandy. He was rushed to the Mount Carmel East, where he currently remains. He suffered a brain hemorrhage as a result of an aneurysm near his brain stem. He currently has a blood clot in his brain stem, which has stopped the bleeding in his brain. However, we now have to wait to see what happens with the blood clot. He is on a ventilator to help with his breathing, and he still has a shunt to remove the fluid from his brain. Those on his treatment team (doctors, nurses) say that the recovery could be at least 9-12 months for healing time as well as physical therapy.
Heriberto (a.k.a. Eddy or Herbie), was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 1973. He moved to New York City with his father (Rafael), mother (Teresa), brothers (Dino and Alexis), and sister (Yessenia) in 1990. He started working at American Eagle Airlines in 1997 on the ramp in NYC. While working, he went to school to obtain his A&P license. After getting his A&P license, he transferred to Columbus, Ohio to work as an aircraft mechanic in 2001. He became a Crew Chief around 2004, and he continues to hold this position today.
He is not only a family-oriented person, but also a great friend who will go the distance for anyone when needed. He has opened his home to others when they have needed a place to stay. He is kind and humble. Although he is shy at first, when you get to know him, you realize he is funny, smart, friendly, happy, honest, and sincere. Although he has been living away from his family for over a decade, he has continued to keep in touch with family and friends not only in NY, but all over the country.
Heriberto met his girlfriend, Brandy, in 2010. She describes him as kind, respectful, and a great father-figure to her daughters. Brandy writes, "We have made so many plans together. This has been the happiest time in my life, the time I have been so blessed to spend with him. He is truly the love of my life."
As his sister recently wrote, "The reality is that he is greatly loved and missed by all of us, especially his family. We pray and need your prayers because we need him in our lives."
Herbie has been my friend for over 10 years now. We met through work in Columbus and even played on a volleyball and softball league together. He's a baseball fan and loves the show "Family Guy" and all things "Star Trek." He likes to joke around and laugh. He is a hard worker and a great friend who loves cleanliness. We often sought advice from one another for different situations in our lives. Even though we live in different states now, we still often talk on the phone. No matter the time between our phone conversations, it always seems like we pick up where we left off. I was so shocked and saddened to hear about what happened to him because I know he does not deserve this. I know he's got a long recovery ahead of him, and I hope and pray that he recovers.
I set up this website to not only help him like he has helped so many others, but to show him that we all care about him and wish him well. Please make a donation, if you are able to do so. Donations will go toward helping with his lengthy recovery which, as stated above, will take at least 9-12 months.
