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He’s Fighting to Stand Again — Help Us Bring Him Home Safe
0% complete
$6,425 raised of
61 donations
In July 2025, our family finally reunited for our first vacation in three years. We were laughing, relaxing, and soaking up long-overdue time together… until everything changed overnight.
My dad, George Copello (63), went from enjoying the beach with family to fighting for his life in the ICU.
What Happened
On July 13th, Dad was found unresponsive after a nap. He was rushed to the hospital, spent three days in a coma, and rapidly declined. Doctors discovered:
- Severe pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Central Cord Syndrome (C4–7) — a traumatic spinal cord injury causing partial paralysis
He spent 34 days in the ICU, unable to move from the chest down. After a long fight and a medical flight home, he has now spent over 140 days in hospitals and rehab facilities.
Dad is slowly rebuilding his strength — he can feel his legs again and can now feed himself. These are small steps, but to us, they are miracles. Through prayer, determination, and an incredible medical team, he continues fighting every single day.
Why We Need Help
Dad and my mom are the full-time caregivers of their 4-year-old granddaughter. With my mom on Social Security Disability and Dad unable to work, they are facing overwhelming challenges:
- Mounting medical and rehab costs
- Insurance cutting support too early
- Only 6 hours of caregiver time provided per week
- A home that is not wheelchair-accessible — preventing the Visiting Nurse Association from accepting him until major ADA modifications are made
His only path home is to make the house safe, accessible, and equipped for his care.
Our Goal
We are urgently raising $10,000 to cover:
- A used wheelchair-accessible van with lift
- ADA bathroom & home renovations
- ♿ Ramps and mobility equipment
- ⚕️ Additional caregiving support
- Ongoing medical needs not covered by insurance
Every dollar helps bring him one step closer to returning home — safely, supported, and surrounded by the people who love him most.
New Ways to Give
To make supporting Dad easier, we’ve added fee-free donation options where 100% goes directly to him:
- CashApp: $KatherineCopello9
- Venmo: @Katherine-Copello
We are also actively working on grant funding to help bridge the gap between what insurance will cover and what is still urgently needed. As needs are met, we will continue to update this page.
Why Now
This is a season of hope, giving, and miracles. Our biggest Christmas wish is simple:
✨ Bring George home.
With your help, he can continue his recovery surrounded by family — including his little granddaughter who keeps asking when “Papa” is coming home.
How You Can Help
- Donate, if you’re able
- Share this page
- Keep Dad in your prayers
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Your kindness is helping give my dad a fighting chance — and helping bring him home where he belongs.
God bless you.
Organizer
