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The spring of 2020 changed so much for every one of us. Like other tragic times, we will all have our own recollection of how it affected us, what we did, and how we coped. We will remember who we could count on for comfort, for information, for just how to feel some days. Anthony Taveras was no different. He continued to go to work. The family made sure to socially distance, to stay home. Anthony’s wife Linda was sure to keep her house that much cleaner and more disinfected than usual.
In early March, Anthony began to experience symptoms of Covid-19. He was feeling fatigued, with other tell-tale symptoms of the virus. It was early on in the pandemic. Medical professionals didn’t necessarily rush patients into their offices with these symptoms. He struggled to find a place where he could be tested; and then waited. Meanwhile, Anthony quarantined in a separate part of the home; praying and hoping that he would not pass this wretched virus to his family. Finally, on March 24th, Anthony got the results of the tests they had hoped would not reveal that he did in fact have this mysterious virus.
From this time. Anthony had never fully recovered. Painful and difficulty breathing were a daily vice for him. He did everything he could to try to recover. He went to countless appointments to no avail. Doctors would try this or that; but nothing really helped at the end of the day. Fast forward to August 17th. Once again, Anthony started to have some symptoms that were not like the ones he had been experiencing for the past 6 months or so. He was feeling chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of feeling on his left side. Anthony and his wife recognized these symptoms of a stroke or some kind of neurological event. The hospital did not believe this to be the case; and insisted that he and his wife go home and follow up with a primary doctor. They would only return to the ER with increased and worsening symptoms. Anthony, in fact, had experienced a stroke. As a result, he has left side paralysis, and has lost all reflexes on that side.
Anthony was the only income for the family due to Linda having to resign at her position in order to care for their child, who had contracted POTS from the HPV vaccine about five years ago. She was also most recently diagnosed with Ehlers Danos. This is an autoimmune comorbidity of POTS. It is a painful and devastating illness that includes fatigue, overly flexible joints, resulting in dislocation, easily bruising, and elastic-like translucent skin. She requires very particular care and has been home schooled since her diagnosis. Anthony has worked hard for his family; without a second thought. He went to work and risked his health to support Linda and their children. It was an unfair gamble for him to have to take. Nonetheless. It happened. So here we are. Anthony has had to switch to a special crutch due to the bruising of the normal crutch offered at physical therapy. His mobility is limited. The intent of this special crutch is to limit the falls he has taken up until now. Throughout all of this, he has been resilient, insisting on recovering, and going to physical therapy and trying like hell to get better. Throughout all of this time, their savings they had worked so hard for dwindled. Here we are at Christmastime. They find themselves in a position of despair. Anthony and his wife have refuted setting up a GoFundMe so far. Their pride is as strong as their work ethic. They are at the point where they truly need some help. Anthony has decided to put his pride aside for the livelihood of his family.
This has been a tough year for all. We all know that. But if you are in a position to help at all; just the thought would mean so much to this family. They really don’t have anywhere to turn at this time. Please share this with your friends, family, colleagues. Let’s work together to provide hope and some light for this family who never has thought twice when asked for help in the past. If you cannot help, a share, a kind word, and absolutely as many prayer and healing energy as one can give would mean a lot to the Taveras family.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2021. Thank you.
In early March, Anthony began to experience symptoms of Covid-19. He was feeling fatigued, with other tell-tale symptoms of the virus. It was early on in the pandemic. Medical professionals didn’t necessarily rush patients into their offices with these symptoms. He struggled to find a place where he could be tested; and then waited. Meanwhile, Anthony quarantined in a separate part of the home; praying and hoping that he would not pass this wretched virus to his family. Finally, on March 24th, Anthony got the results of the tests they had hoped would not reveal that he did in fact have this mysterious virus.
From this time. Anthony had never fully recovered. Painful and difficulty breathing were a daily vice for him. He did everything he could to try to recover. He went to countless appointments to no avail. Doctors would try this or that; but nothing really helped at the end of the day. Fast forward to August 17th. Once again, Anthony started to have some symptoms that were not like the ones he had been experiencing for the past 6 months or so. He was feeling chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of feeling on his left side. Anthony and his wife recognized these symptoms of a stroke or some kind of neurological event. The hospital did not believe this to be the case; and insisted that he and his wife go home and follow up with a primary doctor. They would only return to the ER with increased and worsening symptoms. Anthony, in fact, had experienced a stroke. As a result, he has left side paralysis, and has lost all reflexes on that side.
Anthony was the only income for the family due to Linda having to resign at her position in order to care for their child, who had contracted POTS from the HPV vaccine about five years ago. She was also most recently diagnosed with Ehlers Danos. This is an autoimmune comorbidity of POTS. It is a painful and devastating illness that includes fatigue, overly flexible joints, resulting in dislocation, easily bruising, and elastic-like translucent skin. She requires very particular care and has been home schooled since her diagnosis. Anthony has worked hard for his family; without a second thought. He went to work and risked his health to support Linda and their children. It was an unfair gamble for him to have to take. Nonetheless. It happened. So here we are. Anthony has had to switch to a special crutch due to the bruising of the normal crutch offered at physical therapy. His mobility is limited. The intent of this special crutch is to limit the falls he has taken up until now. Throughout all of this, he has been resilient, insisting on recovering, and going to physical therapy and trying like hell to get better. Throughout all of this time, their savings they had worked so hard for dwindled. Here we are at Christmastime. They find themselves in a position of despair. Anthony and his wife have refuted setting up a GoFundMe so far. Their pride is as strong as their work ethic. They are at the point where they truly need some help. Anthony has decided to put his pride aside for the livelihood of his family.
This has been a tough year for all. We all know that. But if you are in a position to help at all; just the thought would mean so much to this family. They really don’t have anywhere to turn at this time. Please share this with your friends, family, colleagues. Let’s work together to provide hope and some light for this family who never has thought twice when asked for help in the past. If you cannot help, a share, a kind word, and absolutely as many prayer and healing energy as one can give would mean a lot to the Taveras family.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2021. Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Melissa Machado
Organizer
Fall River, MA
Juan Taveras
Beneficiary
