Gabriel had just celebrated his first birthday, a joyful milestone for a little boy who has been growing, exploring, and reaching milestones ahead of schedule. He loves being outdoors, and his parents, Gillian and Jose, share that same love, taking him outside whenever they can. Jose works two jobs to support his family, and Gillian is a devoted mother who pours her heart into caring for her boys.

A few months ago, Gillian began noticing unusual movements in Gabriel. His head would suddenly jerk and drop, followed by twitches and irregular breathing. When she brought her concerns to his pediatrician, she was dismissed and told she was overreacting. But her instincts told her something was wrong. She began documenting every episode, gathering videos and notes, and sought out a new pediatrician who immediately took her concerns seriously and referred Gabriel to a neurologist. The earliest appointment was weeks away, and the family was advised to stay prepared in case of a medical emergency.

That emergency came on February 25 at 3:38 a.m.

Gabriel was restless, and Jose was holding him when Gabriel suddenly stiffened, locked eyes with his father, and began to seize. His tiny body convulsed for three terrifying minutes before he stopped breathing and turned blue. Gillian performed CPR while Jose called 911. Living in a rural area meant waiting 20 agonizing minutes for EMS to arrive, followed by a 30‑minute transport to the children’s hospital.

At the hospital, Gabriel was immediately connected to monitors and placed on an EEG. The machine lit up continuously, large seizures, small seizures, one after another. His little brain was in constant distress. After multiple attempts, an IV was placed, and seizure medication was administered, finally giving him a moment of rest.

Just as his parents exhaled, someone from registration arrived with a bill in hand, asking for a down payment for the day’s care.

Gabriel is still in the hospital. He still needs an MRI under sedation to check for brain damage, tumors, or other abnormalities. His parents are carrying the emotional weight of watching their baby turn blue in their arms and fighting to bring him back while also facing the financial reality of hospital bills, testing, and seizure medications.

This family is not accustomed to asking for help. But right now, they need their community.

They are hoping to raise $3,000 to help cover the cost of Gabriel’s hospital stay and a few months of seizure medication. Jose will have to take time off work to rotate hospital shifts with Gillian so she can rest, which means lost income on top of mounting medical expenses.

Every contribution, no matter the amount, makes a meaningful difference. Your generosity will help ease the financial burden on this young family as they navigate an overwhelming and frightening chapter in their lives.