“Stand” For Arturo - Handicap Van
Donation protected
It is our sincere hope to be able to purchase a used handicapped van, equipped for Arturo’s (Cowboy’s) wheelchair. His closest lifelong friends (30 years+) wish to be able to provide Cowboy just a small fraction of the joy he brought and continues to bring to so many. But we need your help!
How You Can Help:
Please donate to this campaign for Cowboy. All proceeds go to the purchase of a used handicap van for Arturo, our Cowboy.
Backstory:
On June 9th 2017 our dear friend Arturo Zamora, known affectionately as “Cowboy” sustained a life threatening/altering injury in a horrific accident. The scope of his injuries were so vast, having broke his back (complete dissection) as well as suffered from such a severe brain injury that he was placed on life support, followed by a medically induced coma.
In the first hours and days that passed, Arturo’s family and lifelong friends rallied around his bedside. No one knew if he was going to make it, the outlook was bleak. Nevertheless, the outpouring of love was palpable. Round the clock his family and friends prayed and prayed, they...we remained faithful and hoped for him to survive.
The non stop vigil is a testament to the Cowboy we all know and love. Cowboy is a simple man, he worked most recently in construction. He was not married nor had children of his own. But he is a loving brother to his three sisters and proud uncle to their children.
Never caring about someone’s worth or social status. Rather he always was a lover of life, big life. He was as social as they come. His closest friends are truly lifelong. Decades long friendships with people from all walks of life.
Known for his infamous Cowboy hat, when Cowboy walked in a room swagger and all, beaming mischievous smile...the fun had arrived! Everyone knew him as the glue that held this huge motley crew together. Cowboy often greeted his friends with huge embraces, his male friends /brothers teased him relentlessly and the females could feel his big love, his big heart and gentle fun loving nature, so they gathered round and stayed.
He was the nucleus, the heart and soul of a “framily” (friends that are like family) so big, diverse, warm and wide that his presence at birthdays, celebrations, weekend get togethers, sporting events, concerts, etc is deeply missed.
It was almost a month after the accident that we began to see the first glimmer of our beloved Cowboy. A twitch in the arm, eyes blinking. However, it was around that time that we learned of the full extent of his injuries. The doctors shared that Cowboy was paralyzed from the chest down, and due to his massive brain hemorrhaging would likely remain in a vegetative state.
The immense feelings of sadness were overshadowed by the continued outpouring of love, hope and prayers. Never giving up hope. In the months that followed, Cowboy has defied all odds.
However he remains paralyzed and lives with the effects. He had to learn how to breathe again, going from life support to intubation to breathing treatments to respiratory therapy. Complicated by repeated bouts of pneumonia and infections setting him back. It hadn’t been easy for him, nor for the people who love him. He survived an eight hour spinal fusion surgery, to prevent further spinal injury. He has survived multiple heart attacks and severe brain hemorrhage.
Today more than nine months later Cowboy gets by, he breathes unassisted, able to suction on his own. The initial twitch has now progressed so that he has use of both hands. (This was a huge victory!) He feeds himself and is able to talk on the phone, use a remote control, and has begun the long road to regain some strength in his hands, arms, and neck as a result of the atrophy.
Most significantly our Cowboy’s mind is back. Changed for sure, but the memory (less the day of the accident and some short term deficits) is back. His friends used FB photos to help “remind” or “reignite” his memories.
At first you could feel the struggle, and imagine the pain to see your old rich life. Countless photos of all the adventures with his friends and family. Even in his current state, he still has a heart of gold. Each visit to the hospital, he asks his visitors if they would like a water, a juice whatever is available, he shares the treats visitors bring. Tears at times turn to old familiar laughter.
Cowboy has finally been released recently from the hospital. A process which was delayed many times due to the complications of his injuries. He is living with his elderly parents. Requiring daily care. He had no health insurance and his past medical expenses and ongoing expenses are astronomical. Sitting at home unable to do the things that brought him so much joy, had led to expected bouts of depression. Thus here we are.
It is our sincere hope to be able to purchase a handicapped van, equipped for his wheelchair and medical necessities. His closest lifelong friends (30 years+) wish to be able to provide Cowboy just a small fraction of the joy he brought and continue to bring to so many.
We desperately want to be able to take him out, even for a few hours. With the massive medical and care expenses his family simply does not have the means. Nor do they have a car large enough to transport him, and so are forced to call wheelchair transport for necessary trips to doctors. But this comes at a high cost and so is reserved for medical needs.
His friends while filled with love, are also not able to raise the funds needed to cover this life changing purchase. It represents a freedom our dear friend doesn’t have today. We know Cowboy and want to support his personal needs to, we want to be able to give him experiences outside the home, concerts, sporting events, dinners, movies etc. to improve his quality of life. To give back to a man that gave and cares so very much for his friends and family that he would have given you the shirt off his back.
We humbly ask for your support, every dollar counts. Help us to help him. The road ahead will continue to be hard. We prayed for a miracle and our Cowboy survived. We are asking for another. We know this purchase will make it easier for all involved. We are so greatful and apperciative of your donation. Most sincerely.
How You Can Help:
Please donate to this campaign for Cowboy. All proceeds go to the purchase of a used handicap van for Arturo, our Cowboy.
Backstory:
On June 9th 2017 our dear friend Arturo Zamora, known affectionately as “Cowboy” sustained a life threatening/altering injury in a horrific accident. The scope of his injuries were so vast, having broke his back (complete dissection) as well as suffered from such a severe brain injury that he was placed on life support, followed by a medically induced coma.
In the first hours and days that passed, Arturo’s family and lifelong friends rallied around his bedside. No one knew if he was going to make it, the outlook was bleak. Nevertheless, the outpouring of love was palpable. Round the clock his family and friends prayed and prayed, they...we remained faithful and hoped for him to survive.
The non stop vigil is a testament to the Cowboy we all know and love. Cowboy is a simple man, he worked most recently in construction. He was not married nor had children of his own. But he is a loving brother to his three sisters and proud uncle to their children.
Never caring about someone’s worth or social status. Rather he always was a lover of life, big life. He was as social as they come. His closest friends are truly lifelong. Decades long friendships with people from all walks of life.
Known for his infamous Cowboy hat, when Cowboy walked in a room swagger and all, beaming mischievous smile...the fun had arrived! Everyone knew him as the glue that held this huge motley crew together. Cowboy often greeted his friends with huge embraces, his male friends /brothers teased him relentlessly and the females could feel his big love, his big heart and gentle fun loving nature, so they gathered round and stayed.
He was the nucleus, the heart and soul of a “framily” (friends that are like family) so big, diverse, warm and wide that his presence at birthdays, celebrations, weekend get togethers, sporting events, concerts, etc is deeply missed.
It was almost a month after the accident that we began to see the first glimmer of our beloved Cowboy. A twitch in the arm, eyes blinking. However, it was around that time that we learned of the full extent of his injuries. The doctors shared that Cowboy was paralyzed from the chest down, and due to his massive brain hemorrhaging would likely remain in a vegetative state.
The immense feelings of sadness were overshadowed by the continued outpouring of love, hope and prayers. Never giving up hope. In the months that followed, Cowboy has defied all odds.
However he remains paralyzed and lives with the effects. He had to learn how to breathe again, going from life support to intubation to breathing treatments to respiratory therapy. Complicated by repeated bouts of pneumonia and infections setting him back. It hadn’t been easy for him, nor for the people who love him. He survived an eight hour spinal fusion surgery, to prevent further spinal injury. He has survived multiple heart attacks and severe brain hemorrhage.
Today more than nine months later Cowboy gets by, he breathes unassisted, able to suction on his own. The initial twitch has now progressed so that he has use of both hands. (This was a huge victory!) He feeds himself and is able to talk on the phone, use a remote control, and has begun the long road to regain some strength in his hands, arms, and neck as a result of the atrophy.
Most significantly our Cowboy’s mind is back. Changed for sure, but the memory (less the day of the accident and some short term deficits) is back. His friends used FB photos to help “remind” or “reignite” his memories.
At first you could feel the struggle, and imagine the pain to see your old rich life. Countless photos of all the adventures with his friends and family. Even in his current state, he still has a heart of gold. Each visit to the hospital, he asks his visitors if they would like a water, a juice whatever is available, he shares the treats visitors bring. Tears at times turn to old familiar laughter.
Cowboy has finally been released recently from the hospital. A process which was delayed many times due to the complications of his injuries. He is living with his elderly parents. Requiring daily care. He had no health insurance and his past medical expenses and ongoing expenses are astronomical. Sitting at home unable to do the things that brought him so much joy, had led to expected bouts of depression. Thus here we are.
It is our sincere hope to be able to purchase a handicapped van, equipped for his wheelchair and medical necessities. His closest lifelong friends (30 years+) wish to be able to provide Cowboy just a small fraction of the joy he brought and continue to bring to so many.
We desperately want to be able to take him out, even for a few hours. With the massive medical and care expenses his family simply does not have the means. Nor do they have a car large enough to transport him, and so are forced to call wheelchair transport for necessary trips to doctors. But this comes at a high cost and so is reserved for medical needs.
His friends while filled with love, are also not able to raise the funds needed to cover this life changing purchase. It represents a freedom our dear friend doesn’t have today. We know Cowboy and want to support his personal needs to, we want to be able to give him experiences outside the home, concerts, sporting events, dinners, movies etc. to improve his quality of life. To give back to a man that gave and cares so very much for his friends and family that he would have given you the shirt off his back.
We humbly ask for your support, every dollar counts. Help us to help him. The road ahead will continue to be hard. We prayed for a miracle and our Cowboy survived. We are asking for another. We know this purchase will make it easier for all involved. We are so greatful and apperciative of your donation. Most sincerely.
Organizer
David Ralph
Organizer
Miami, FL
