Help Ali/Martin Get 24 hour Care
Donation protected
This is a story of love that is unconditional, compassionate, and complete devotion for 40 years. Ali and Martin Casado have been married 40 years Although an unexpected courtship that resulted from a blind date, the connection and attraction was instantaneous…then came love. Martin, who had never been married and had no children, took on 3 kids from his new marriage with Ali, which wasn’t easy. This sweet man was everything Ali wanted in a man.
Martin is a family man who gave up his own life in Santiago, Chile in the early 70’s, coming to the U.S. to help his brother, who had a scary accident that left him with an incapacitated arm. He made sure his brother’s medical bills were paid, working long hours and trying to adapt to American culture and the English language. Then he got lucky and met the love of his life, Ali.
Getting married only 7 months after meeting on that blind date, Martin and Ali were very happy. It would take some time to adjust to an instant family. Then, a year and a half into the marriage, Martin was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which was devastating for Martin and Ali. But it was agreed they would get through this and anything to come their way…together.
As time progressed, so did Martin’s condition. With Multiple Sclerosis worsening, he was bound to a wheelchair, which was very difficult for him. Fast forward thirty years later and Martin would no longer be able to move any of his limbs, rendering him quadriplegic. He could no longer do anything for himself and needed constant care. The very simple things like eating, drinking, bathing, and everything else most of us take for granted, were no longer possible for Martin to do on his own. We can only imagine how incredibly difficult that must be, but have no idea what torment he goes through. But it is amazing how sometimes the love of a good woman can help someone through a difficult life.
In the last 6 months, Martin had been getting more frequent infections, thus in and out of the hospital. Most recently, he was hospitalized for over 5 weeks due to complications from a colonoscopy that resulted in him having a tracheotomy and a feeding tube (peg) to feed him. Although this was a last resort, Ali and Martin knew it would be the best option for him to prevent any further complications. Martin, he often mentions to Ali that he just wants to make sure he is here to celebrate their 40th anniversary February 4th.
With this new life style of adjusting to the trach and feeding tube, on top of the effects of Multiple Sclerosis, it became evident right away that Martin would need 24-hour care from an LPN or RN, with the experience and credentials to handle a trach and feeding tube competently. Ali is Martin’s primary care giver. She is in her seventies and physically and emotionally unable to care for Martin day and night as it is impossible. Her health has been affected due to the constant stress and physical demands of having to care for Martin. But Ali has always promised Martin that she would never put him in a Medicare/county approved nursing facility. She would rather suffer and jeopardize her health than put Martin into a facility, in which he would likely decline. Ali and Martin are on a fixed income and unable to afford the cost of 24-hour care, which would roughly be $600 a day (average hourly rate of $25), which would be $4,200 a week.
I am Ali’s daughter and Martin’s step-daughter, Kimberly. I have to say, It is heart-wrenching to see Ali cry multiple times a day, every day from physical and emotional exhaustion, frustration, and helplessness. Knowing that this terribly stressful situation is affecting my mom’s heath is scary and we are very concerned. Martin feels helpless when he sees his wife of almost 40 years distraught from exhaustion, but knows he is unable to do anything. My nine-year old son will often help his grandmother when he sees her crying or just because he knows she needs the physical help, which in turn is emotional support for her as well. He has love and compassion in his heart and that is beautiful. Although Ali has a lot of pride, she finally agreed with me creating the Gofundme page.
I am asking for your help in donating what you can. Even if you can’t, I understand. I would ask you to please share this with as many people as possible…that is very helpful and still giving. We are grateful for your help. The more money raised, the longer Ali can have the 24-hour care needed for Martin.
May this new year bring us all peace and happiness!
Martin is a family man who gave up his own life in Santiago, Chile in the early 70’s, coming to the U.S. to help his brother, who had a scary accident that left him with an incapacitated arm. He made sure his brother’s medical bills were paid, working long hours and trying to adapt to American culture and the English language. Then he got lucky and met the love of his life, Ali.
Getting married only 7 months after meeting on that blind date, Martin and Ali were very happy. It would take some time to adjust to an instant family. Then, a year and a half into the marriage, Martin was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which was devastating for Martin and Ali. But it was agreed they would get through this and anything to come their way…together.
As time progressed, so did Martin’s condition. With Multiple Sclerosis worsening, he was bound to a wheelchair, which was very difficult for him. Fast forward thirty years later and Martin would no longer be able to move any of his limbs, rendering him quadriplegic. He could no longer do anything for himself and needed constant care. The very simple things like eating, drinking, bathing, and everything else most of us take for granted, were no longer possible for Martin to do on his own. We can only imagine how incredibly difficult that must be, but have no idea what torment he goes through. But it is amazing how sometimes the love of a good woman can help someone through a difficult life.
In the last 6 months, Martin had been getting more frequent infections, thus in and out of the hospital. Most recently, he was hospitalized for over 5 weeks due to complications from a colonoscopy that resulted in him having a tracheotomy and a feeding tube (peg) to feed him. Although this was a last resort, Ali and Martin knew it would be the best option for him to prevent any further complications. Martin, he often mentions to Ali that he just wants to make sure he is here to celebrate their 40th anniversary February 4th.
With this new life style of adjusting to the trach and feeding tube, on top of the effects of Multiple Sclerosis, it became evident right away that Martin would need 24-hour care from an LPN or RN, with the experience and credentials to handle a trach and feeding tube competently. Ali is Martin’s primary care giver. She is in her seventies and physically and emotionally unable to care for Martin day and night as it is impossible. Her health has been affected due to the constant stress and physical demands of having to care for Martin. But Ali has always promised Martin that she would never put him in a Medicare/county approved nursing facility. She would rather suffer and jeopardize her health than put Martin into a facility, in which he would likely decline. Ali and Martin are on a fixed income and unable to afford the cost of 24-hour care, which would roughly be $600 a day (average hourly rate of $25), which would be $4,200 a week.
I am Ali’s daughter and Martin’s step-daughter, Kimberly. I have to say, It is heart-wrenching to see Ali cry multiple times a day, every day from physical and emotional exhaustion, frustration, and helplessness. Knowing that this terribly stressful situation is affecting my mom’s heath is scary and we are very concerned. Martin feels helpless when he sees his wife of almost 40 years distraught from exhaustion, but knows he is unable to do anything. My nine-year old son will often help his grandmother when he sees her crying or just because he knows she needs the physical help, which in turn is emotional support for her as well. He has love and compassion in his heart and that is beautiful. Although Ali has a lot of pride, she finally agreed with me creating the Gofundme page.
I am asking for your help in donating what you can. Even if you can’t, I understand. I would ask you to please share this with as many people as possible…that is very helpful and still giving. We are grateful for your help. The more money raised, the longer Ali can have the 24-hour care needed for Martin.
May this new year bring us all peace and happiness!
Organizer and beneficiary
Kimberly Dressler
Organizer
Suwanee, GA
Ali Casado
Beneficiary