Jose Luis Rodriguez Jr. Fund

What happened?

On September 24th, 2022 my family’s world was flipped upside down. My brother, Jose Luis Rodriguez, was watching TV with his son Cyrus when he suddenly began experiencing strange symptoms and lost feeling on his left side. Jose’s fiancée, Jessica, noticed something was wrong and immediately called 911. As she explained the symptoms, the dispatcher suggested Jose should try to smile. When he did, one side of his face was not responding, confirming that he was having a stroke.

The ambulance rushed him to the hospital where the paramedics immediately began treatment with blood thinners that would later save his life. An embolectomy was performed to remove a blood clot that was restricting blood flow through his body, and the blood thinners admitted in the ambulance played a major role in the embolectomy’s success. This, however, would be the first of four high-risk surgeries that Jose would need since being admitted to the hospital.

Jose needed an emergency craniotomy to reduce swelling in his brain. Soon after the start of what would be a long recovery process, he got the flu, pneumonia, and eventually needed a tracheotomy to help him breathe. All of this happened within a three-week period in which my brother would spend under intensive care.

His fiancée Jessica, my niece Cassie, both our parents, and I are all taking turns to make sure that he is never alone at the hospital. In the time that Jose has been in the hospital (about five and a half weeks by the time this goes up), things have been very difficult for my family.

Jose cannot work, and Jessica had to take off from work to take care of hospital paperwork, the kids at home, and to be with Jose at the hospital. My father took time off of work to take shifts at the hospital and be with his son. My mother Itzel is at the hospital every morning as she couldn’t bear to be at home, constantly worrying about him.

Although he was under such intense conditions, Jose remained conscious, though he was often sedated due to his condition. He is still able to comprehend what was going on around him, he reacted to our presence and recognized his favorite music.

How is Jose doing now?

On October 15, three weeks after being admitted into the hospital, Jose was released from the ICU but is still under the hospital’s care. He can breathe on his own again but still needs a respirator to kick in from time to time.

We are not yet sure of his release date from the hospital. He is getting physical therapy every day as he continues his long road to recovery.

On October 18, more than three weeks after the stroke, Jose was able to use his left hand to squeeze our mom's hand. If only you could have seen the joy on her face.

Remember, my brother lost feeling on his entire left side, and he is finally showing signs of mobility again. It was not until the end of October that Jose was able to say short words and phrases, and it was such a great feeling to hear his voice again after nearly a month.

What’s next for Jose?

The road to recovery ahead will be lengthy and difficult. Once released from the hospital, he will need constant attention at home where he’ll be continuing rehabilitation and physical therapy so he can get back on his feet.

Jessica and the kids have been shuffling things around the house to get things ready for their father’s return home, but we’re still not sure when that’s going to be yet.

Jose and Jessica had been seeking a new place to move into right before the incident. You see, the family unexpectedly grew last year, and plans to find a new place had to be put on hold. Jose’s two daughters and eldest son unexpectedly lost their mother to COVID-19 last year, and his daughters suddenly needed to relocate to live with their father down in Florida.

As you can imagine, Jose Luis and his family quickly outgrew the space in their two-bedroom/one-bathroom place and need the extra space now more than ever. In addition to hospital bills, doctor visits, physical therapy, and day-to-day expenses it takes to raise a family, funds for this campaign will also help my brother’s family afford moving costs associated with relocating into a new place (down payment, rent, moving expenses, etc.)

Jose Luis has always been there to help his parents, siblings, children, nieces & nephews, and now it is our turn to help him and his family on his long road to recovery.

What can I do to help?

As you know, it is expensive to raise a big family. With Jose unable to work, Jessica taking time off to take care of hospital paperwork, the kids at home, and spending as much time as she can with Jose at the hospital, expenses, and bills are piling up.

With your GoFundMe donation, we can help Jose’s family. We are looking to raise $8,000 to help pay for doctor visits, surgeries, medical bills, and day-to-day family expenses like groceries, gas, essential supplies, and hot meals to feed the kids.

Given the chance, funds would also contribute towards Jose and his family getting a larger place. This includes moving costs, first + last + security deposit, new furniture, and other housing fees.

I can’t donate right now/ Other ways to help

If you can’t donate right now, that's okay. There is plenty of time before the campaign ends.

To celebrate Jose’s birthday, the campaign will end on the last day of his birth month (January 31). That’s about three months away, but we think it’s enough time to get the word out and gather support for Jose Luis’ family on his road to recovery.

There are other ways you can help outside of donations: Jose’s family is in need of:

-Groceries, food items, or hot meals

-Help with packing/moving stuff out of their old house

Who can we get in touch with?

This campaign is run by Marvin Rodriguez and Marluys Sejba, Jose’s brother and sister.

If you wish to help outside of the GoFundMe campaign, please reach out to either of us through social media.

Thank you

-Much love