Dear Family, Friends, and Kind Strangers,

We are reaching out to our community during an incredibly difficult time. My dad, Ron, has been hospitalized, and unfortunately, his condition has been worsening. The emotional, mental and physical strain on our family has been overwhelming. As some of you know, my mom, Laura, has been working two jobs. Due to my dad’s condition, she is having to take time off to be by his side.

On March 21st, my dad was rushed to the ER with severe back pain and heart complications. After several days of treatment, his heart was stabilized but scans revealed that he had compression fractures on his L1 and L2, as well as herniated discs. He underwent surgery on March 26th to repair the fractures on his spine and the herniated discs.

Although the surgery initially helped with his back pain, things quickly took a turn. After a couple of days, he began experiencing serious complications. He developed a high fever and has been extremely sick. We're still waiting for test results to determine the exact cause, but his condition has been impacting him both physically and cognitively. He has been disoriented and only able to eat with our mom's help.

We are currently focused on getting him through this infection, and once he’s stable, the next step will be to move him to a rehabilitation center to help him regain strength and eventually walk again. But we know there is a long road ahead, and he will need our full support.

During this time, our family is under an immense amount of stress. The financial burden is heavy, and any contributions would go directly towards alleviating some of the pressure we’re facing. Your generosity will help give us the peace of mind to focus on being with our dad and caring for him, without worrying about the bills piling up.

Most of all, we ask for your prayers for my dad’s recovery and for our family during this time. We miss having him home, and we’re ready to have him back with us.

Thank you so much for your love, prayers, support, and any help you are able to offer.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Victoria Soto

UPDATE: We are deeply grateful for all the prayers, messages, calls, and generous donations we've received—thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your support has meant the world to us during this time.

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. After his surgery, Ron developed sepsis, which placed him in a very fragile condition. He has been fighting hard every day to heal and regain strength. Thankfully, the infection is now under control, and he has been discharged from the hospital.

Ron is currently in a skilled nursing facility, and we’re working toward transitioning him to a rehabilitation hospital where he can receive the specialized therapy he needs. He is determined to recover and is so eager to return home.

We truly can’t thank our family and friends enough for surrounding us with love and support—it has lifted our spirits more than words can express.