Help The Cartagenas Get Back on Their Feet

On Wednesday, September 8, Carlos Cartagena, an essential worker, went to his job as a dishwasher at an assisted living facility, where he has worked for nearly four years. He had some pain in his neck and arm and felt a little wobbly, but there was no one else to cover his shift, so he went to work like he always did. By Thursday, his extremities were getting numb and he could barely walk. On Saturday, he went to the emergency room, and the next day he was transferred to another hospital. On Monday, September 13, he had two emergency surgeries to repair cervical disks that were pinching his spinal cord. On Tuesday, he was in the ICU, paralyzed. Elba and Carlos’ friends are organizing this GoFundMe campaign to help the family right now.

His wife, Elba, has been at his side at the hospital. Neither has been able to work since this medical ordeal began. Carlos is keeping a positive outlook and his good sense of humor. They celebrate small victories. He has been able to lift his left hand and was able to move his left foot a little. He started physical therapy and moved out of ICU. Due to COVID, their three children are not allowed to visit the hospital; they miss him very much. He is not sure how long he will be in the hospital before going to a rehab for additional physical therapy of at least one or two months. In the middle of all this, Elba just found out that she needs immediate oral surgery, which will cost thousands of dollars. The surgery is scheduled for late September.

The family shares a strong faith and appreciates the prayers and messages of support from friends and relatives. Carlos smiles each time Elba reads him a message. The road ahead is long and uncertain. The medical bills have not started to arrive yet, but we know there will be many unanticipated expenses. While Social Security covers the rent and basic utilities, Carlos and Elba’s part time employment normally covers the car payment, groceries, gasoline and other expenses.

Elba and Carlos’ friends are organizing this GoFundMe campaign to help the family have enough to pay for the regular expenses that their part time employment usually covers, as well as medical and dental bills and related expenses. Our fundraising goal is $10,000.

Ayude a la familia Cartagena a recuperarse

El miércoles, 8 de septiembre, Carlos Cartagena, un trabajador esencial, asistió a su trabajo como lavador de platos en una facilidad para envejecientes, donde ha trabajado por casi 4 años. Tenía dolor en su cuello y brazo, y se sentía un poco mareado, pero no había nadie para sustituirlo en el trabajo, así que fue a su trabajo como siempre. El jueves, estaba perdiendo sensación en sus extremidades y apenas podía caminar. El sábado, fue a la sala de emergencia, y al día siguiente lo trasladaron a otro hospital. El lunes, 13 de septiembre, tuvo dos cirugías de emergencia para reparar discos cervicales que estaban comprimiendo su médula espinal. Al día siguiente, martes, estaba en el ICU paralizado.

Su esposa Elba, ha estado a su lado en el hospital. Ninguno de los dos ha podido trabajar. Carlos se mantiene positivo y están celebrando pequeñas mejoras. Ha podido levantar la mano izquierda y mover su pie izquierdo un poco. Ha comenzado terapia física y ha salido del ICU. Debido al COVID, sus tres hijos no pueden visitarlo en el hospital. El no sabe cuánto tiempo seguirá ingresado antes de ser trasladado a un centro de rehabilitación por uno a dos meses como mínimo.

La familia comparte una fé muy fuerte y aprecia las oraciones y los mensajes de apoyo de los amigos y la familia. Carlos sonríe cada vez que Elba le lee un mensaje. El camino adelante es incierto, pero sabemos que va a ser largo. Las cuentas médicas no han empezado a llegar, pero sabemos que van a haber muchos gastos no anticipados. Mientras que el Seguro Social cubre la renta y gastos de la casa, son los trabajos de Elba y Carlos los que normalmente cubren los pagos del carro, gasolina, comida y otros gastos.

Los amigos de Elba y Carlos están organizando esta campaña GoFundMe para que la familia tenga suficiente para cubrir sus gastos diarios, y las cuentas médicas. La meta es recaudar $10,000.