Get Antonio Rollin’ home

Hi everyone, my name is Sarah Camargo and my soul sister Connie Martinez has been living every mother’s worst nightmare since 6/21/20. It was Father’s Day and they were cooking out. They just installed an above ground pool that Friday, 2 days prior. Her son Antonio Acosta was sitting on the ladder and said he was going in. He pushed off in a semi sitting dive and hit the bottom of the pool. He didn’t come back up. Everyone thought he was just joking trying to scare them, but he wasn’t. His stepdad and uncle had to jump in the pool fully clothed and hold him above water until they could get enough manpower to get him out and call 911.
Hours later at the hospital, doctors came back and said he’d more than likely be paralyzed as he broke 2 vertebrae in his upper neck (C5 &C6) and they’d be doing emergency surgery at 7am. On Monday, 6/22/20 after 11 hours of surgery (they removed the 2 vertebrae and inserted a metal bracket) the surgeons came out and said they did what they could, but the outcome was what they expected. Antonio is now paralyzed from the waist down. They wanted to transfer him to Shirley Ryan at Northwestern to start his rehab, but he spiked a fever and then got pneumonia. Over the next 2 weeks Antonio was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, which is a break down of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein into the blood that leads to kidney failure, then they found 2 blood clots, one each leg, one going from the femur to the pelvic. The good news is his fever broke and he’s finally at Shirley Ryan so he can work on his rehab but now in addition to being paralyzed he now has little movement in his arms and wrists.
Due to COVID19, Antonio can only have one visitor for 7 days at a time then a new visitor can take that place IF his mom chooses to give up the coveted spot. The reason I’m creating this fundraiser is because God willing, Antonio will be coming home in August and my soul sister would never think of asking for help. She’s been off work and because her generous co-workers at Riverside Medical Center have donated their earned time off, she’s been able to be with her son and be paid.
When Antonio comes home her whole house will need to be updated to accommodate a wheelchair/ wheelchair bound person. We have a about a month to make this happen. I’m asking for prayers and donations. If you can’t afford to give, I totally understand but prayers are free and of course I’d love it if you could please share this fundraiser for me. Insurance isn’t covering all his medical expenses nor his expenses when he comes home. When he comes home, we are going to need a ramp, doorways widened, possibly the shower redone, etc. if you do this type of work and are willing to donate your time or give a discounted price please message me. I’m cashing in all my karma points!!!
Antonio just turned 18 years old on April 1. He graduated from Bishop Mac and played football. I know I’m going to hear people say “he had his whole life ahead of him” he still does, it’s just a different life and I’m going to make sure I do whatever I can to give him the best start. I love my community, friends and family and I know what we are capable of. Let him feel that same love!!!!!!!