My name is Nicholas Rastegar, and I’m asking for help for my father, Said Rastegar — an incredible man who sacrificed everything to build a better life for our family. I am a first-generation Iranian-American. My father came to the United States shortly before the Iranian Revolution in 1979, in search of freedom, safety, and a better future. Through many years of hard work, he built a life from nothing.

In 2020, my father and I fulfilled a dream together—we opened a restaurant. Through hard work, long days, and unwavering dedication, we built it into a 5-star establishment in our community. We worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. It wasn’t just a business—it was our pride, our livelihood, and a reflection of everything my father had worked for since coming to this country.

In October 2023, my father traveled back to Iran to celebrate his birthday with family he hadn’t seen in years. During his celebration, our lives changed forever. He suffered a traumatic fall that broke his spine and nearly took his life.

Today, my father is paralyzed as a quadriplegic and requires 24/7 care.

After his injury, he remained in Iran for six months recovering from surgery and beginning rehabilitation—just to get strong enough to endure the long journey back home to the United States. My uncle escorted him through two days of exhausting travel to get him back safely.

Then, less than 48 hours after returning home, my father became critically ill. He developed a severe infection that led to sepsis and an altered mental state. He spent nearly 10 days in the ICU—so sick that he has no memory of that time.

Over the past two years, his battle has continued. He has endured multiple hospitalizations, four surgeries, and ongoing medical complications, including another incident of sepsis from an infection in April 2025.

A few months after his return, we were faced with an impossible decision—we had to close our restaurant so I could help my mother care for him full-time. My mother is also dealing with her own health challenges, and the physical demands of caregiving have taken a tremendous toll on her.

With the loss of our business, our only income is my father’s Social Security, which covers only a fraction of our basic needs.

Because of the severity of his condition, my father is completely dependent on us for everything—mobility, hygiene, medical care, and daily living.

Despite his condition, he does not qualify for sufficient financial assistance through our state, and we cannot afford to hire professional caregiving help.

We are asking for help during this incredibly difficult time.

Your support will go directly toward:

** Medical bills, prescriptions, and supplies not covered by insurance.

** Critical daily care items for a quadriplegic patient.

** Necessary home modifications, including remodeling our bathroom so he can bathe safely instead of receiving bed baths.

** In-home medical equipment to continue therapy and improve his quality of life.

** Occasional caregiving assistance to give my mother much-needed physical relief.

** Essential household expenses and bills.

** Of great urgency, is a wheelchair-accessible van so we can safely transport him to specialists he needs to frequently see for his spinal cord injury, other medical care, and to physical and occupational therapy.

More than anything, we want to give my father dignity, comfort, and the best possible chance at recovery.

He is a hardworking man who built his life from nothing, gave everything to his family, and before his injury, never asked for help. Now, we are asking on his behalf.

Any donation—no matter the amount—means more than we can express. If you are unable to give, sharing our story would also make a tremendous difference.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your compassion, support, and prayers.