Please Help Us Fight with Joseph ❤️

Joseph is currently hospitalized at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles after being diagnosed with a rare and devastating case of West Nile Virus with complications involving Transverse Myelitis.

We are asking for one thing above all: Prayers. Pray for his healing, his strength, his mental and emotional health, and for the doctors caring for him. We are holding onto hope knowing that Joseph still has a long road ahead of him.

Joseph’s Story

Joseph was a healthy 13 year old boy from Long Beach, California, that enjoyed playing soccer and watching his favorite sports teams: Dodgers, Raiders and Lakers on tv. What started with some mosquito bites led to something much more serious.

Joseph randomly began experiencing a full body rash along with a mild headache and increasing pain in his legs leading to a low-grade fever. His symptoms continued to worsen until he eventually lost all mobility in both of his legs. While in the hospital he also developed severe abdominal pain, a stiff neck, and loss of bladder and bowel control.

Doctors initially diagnosed Joseph with Transverse Myelitis and began treatment with steroids. Meanwhile after spending days in the ICU and undergoing extensive testing, doctors determined that West Nile Virus was responsible for the complications he was experiencing.

Today, Joseph is facing challenges no 13-year-old should ever have to face. He has lost the use of his legs, loss of bladder and bowel control, and is in excruciating nerve pain from the lower back down to his feet.

His family has been told that cases like Joseph’s are extremely uncommon, and there is limited experience and research available to guide them through exactly what lies ahead.

Joseph’s mother, Maria Salazar, is a widowed mother of three. She has remained by Joseph’s side around the clock, advocating for him, comforting him, and praying for his recovery.

While Maria focuses on being there for Joseph, the family is facing the financial reality, as the sole provider, unable to work because of this unexpected and overwhelming medical crisis.

Donations will help provide for essential living expenses, travel, medical related costs, rehabilitation, and other unexpected expenses that may arise during Joseph’s hospitalization and recovery.

If you can donate, no amount is too small. Every dollar will help give Joseph and his family some financial relief while they focus on what matters most, getting Joseph home and helping him regain his strength and independence.

If you cannot donate, please share this fundraiser. One share could teach families the dangerous symptoms to look out for if ever in a similar position

Please Take Mosquito-Borne Illnesses Seriously

Joseph’s experience has opened our family’s eyes to how quickly a mosquito-borne illness can become a serious medical emergency.

Please take precautions to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites, follow public health recommendations, and seek medical attention if concerning symptoms develop or worsen.

We never imagined that something that began with what seemed like minor symptoms could change Joseph’s life so quickly.

Thank you for standing with Joseph and the family. Every prayer, every share, every donation, and every kind message means more than you know. ❤️