Benjamin Paratore Heart Surgery and Recovery
Donation protected
The three of us siblings live on opposite sides of the country. New York, Georgia and California. On January 12, 2019 Dad emailed us wanting to give Mom the best 60th Birthday gift ever, ‘the whole family under one roof’. Now all with families of our own, obligations and great distances to travel, this was a major undertaking. After months of planning we landed on a date and a central location, a family reunion resort in Orlando September 20 - 28.
On September 23, 2019 the family went to Universal with the three grandkids. They were so excited to be there but Dad couldn’t keep up. He told everyone to go on without him and that he’d catch up. He didn’t want to slow us down. He always put others above himself. Minutes later Mom got a call from Dad, but it wasn’t him. Someone called on Dad’s phone saying that there was an emergency, Dad was unresponsive and to get to the front of the park as soon as possible. That was the beginning of the worst day of our lives. Dad collapsed with a major heart attack at the front gates of Universal. Through the grace of God, the incredible emergency medical team at Universal and the fast response of those around him, Dad survived.
Dad is beyond lucky to be alive. One ambulance ride to the first hospital, a helicopter ride to the second hospital, and FIVE Heart Bypasses. Only 1 in 3 people survive their first heart attack. We literally witnessed a miracle. If Dad had a heart attack any other day in any other place, he would not be alive today. On top of that, we were all together to help Mom through every step.
We are beyond thankful to the EMT at Universal. They were so fast and so professional. We are forever thankful for their service.
Now it comes to the time of recovery and we need a different type of support. The combination of hospital bills, transportation, out of work, hotel stays is accumulating faster than we could have even imagined.
One open heart bypass is $150,000. Dad had Five.
Mom and Dad were in the middle of a move back at home that they now need to postpone on both ends.
Flights need to be rescheduled until Dad can fly again.
New extended hotel accommodations.
New extended car rentals.
Anesthesia, Hospital Facilities, Doctors, Surgeons, Medicine.
Post Op Care
Rehabilitation
Extended unemployment/disability during recovery
In the hours leading up to his surgery in between drug medications his one concern was ‘ruining Moms 60th Birthday’ and ‘we can’t afford this’.
We can solve this with your help. Even the smallest donation means the world to Dad and our family. Dad touched the lives of so many. If you know him, you know that he has the biggest heart for everyone. We need more of those today. It’s too soon for him and his heart to leave this world. He has been given a second chance on life. A chance to meet and spend time with his future Grandchildren and touch the lives of so many more people. He always put others before his own needs throughout his life, he needs your help today. Today he needs it most.
If you would like to use a different avenue for donation his Venmo is
@Benjamin-Paratore
We appreciate your help in this very trying time of our family’s life. We witnessed God’s saving grace, please help us alleviate Dad’s financial fear, we can get through this together.
Thank You.
On September 23, 2019 the family went to Universal with the three grandkids. They were so excited to be there but Dad couldn’t keep up. He told everyone to go on without him and that he’d catch up. He didn’t want to slow us down. He always put others above himself. Minutes later Mom got a call from Dad, but it wasn’t him. Someone called on Dad’s phone saying that there was an emergency, Dad was unresponsive and to get to the front of the park as soon as possible. That was the beginning of the worst day of our lives. Dad collapsed with a major heart attack at the front gates of Universal. Through the grace of God, the incredible emergency medical team at Universal and the fast response of those around him, Dad survived.
Dad is beyond lucky to be alive. One ambulance ride to the first hospital, a helicopter ride to the second hospital, and FIVE Heart Bypasses. Only 1 in 3 people survive their first heart attack. We literally witnessed a miracle. If Dad had a heart attack any other day in any other place, he would not be alive today. On top of that, we were all together to help Mom through every step.
We are beyond thankful to the EMT at Universal. They were so fast and so professional. We are forever thankful for their service.
Now it comes to the time of recovery and we need a different type of support. The combination of hospital bills, transportation, out of work, hotel stays is accumulating faster than we could have even imagined.
One open heart bypass is $150,000. Dad had Five.
Mom and Dad were in the middle of a move back at home that they now need to postpone on both ends.
Flights need to be rescheduled until Dad can fly again.
New extended hotel accommodations.
New extended car rentals.
Anesthesia, Hospital Facilities, Doctors, Surgeons, Medicine.
Post Op Care
Rehabilitation
Extended unemployment/disability during recovery
In the hours leading up to his surgery in between drug medications his one concern was ‘ruining Moms 60th Birthday’ and ‘we can’t afford this’.
We can solve this with your help. Even the smallest donation means the world to Dad and our family. Dad touched the lives of so many. If you know him, you know that he has the biggest heart for everyone. We need more of those today. It’s too soon for him and his heart to leave this world. He has been given a second chance on life. A chance to meet and spend time with his future Grandchildren and touch the lives of so many more people. He always put others before his own needs throughout his life, he needs your help today. Today he needs it most.
If you would like to use a different avenue for donation his Venmo is
@Benjamin-Paratore
We appreciate your help in this very trying time of our family’s life. We witnessed God’s saving grace, please help us alleviate Dad’s financial fear, we can get through this together.
Thank You.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kimberly Cliett
Organizer
Valdosta, GA
Marjorie Paratore
Beneficiary