Lift The Weight of An Elephant

My name is Jacqueline , the 2 people in the picture are my family. The one in the middle, my son Elijah , passed in 2014 , 4 years after this picture was taken. That same year Anthony , my husband, lost his beloved Mother. It was a tremendous double blow to him and us. The sorrow and financial worries…. finally blew Anthony's Aorta wide open... it just took 7 years. The causes: stress , family conflict and the loss of his community in Los Angeles it was a heavy weight ....

Anthony was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. He is brave, kind and a loyal friend to colleagues and family. Without him, I would not be here. Losing my only child exacted a heavy toll on both of us. I am originally from Canada, and Anthony is everything to me. This tragedy has shaken me to my very core. He nurtured my broken heart and ensured I took care of myself mentally and physically like the Teddy Bear he is.... Then he went back to the biggest and best family he ever had. TIOH Hollywood. We are eternally grateful for the exceptional families and staff that welcomed him with open arms and made him feel respected and part of their family.... a gift we can never repay. The loss of that family and support was an additional heavy weight.

After we both lost our jobs due to Covid, in 2020 we moved from LA , to Eugene Oregon where the cost of living was lower. After applying for hundreds of jobs he finally got a call from Marathon- Coach, Manufacturers of Rock Band Tour Buses and Handcrafted RV's. They accepted him as family and Anthony was thrilled, never complaining . At 60 we have been living as frugally as possible. After 3 years of very little income and the lack of funds for a green card, the future seemed tenuous at best. The debt was rising…. more crushing weight.

Only 6 weeks after starting work Anthony suffered an Aortic Dissection and a resulting aneurysm that rendered his left side without blood flow. The stress, financial pressures and chronic ongoing family conflict took their toll. He required a large patch to his aorta and then an 8 hour emergency surgery to take blood vessels from his arms and stomach and return blood flow to his legs. He will now require Dialysis for the rest of his life . As we speak he is off to the OR for yet another surgery.We are still under a heavy weight.

Doctors have been frank... serious complications and set backs are here to stay. Every day I tell him he is loved, safe and on the mend. His mental function may be slow to return.

Our immediate needs include monthly expenses .... rent, utilities credit cards and all the same things all of us must pay. Our monthly expenses with all bills and utilities are $2500. We have no idea what hospital bills will arise . We may require help at home, as well, for his recuperation. After he is fully stabilized , able to stand and off oxygen it will be off to rehab to regain his functioning. Anthony is my The Rock Of Gibraltar . I am genuinely concerned about his future and quality of life both mentally and emotionally. With all of this....feels like The Weight of An Elephant on my Anthony's chest and mine. Please help lift some of that weight.

Finances are important but we need a licensed attorney for my green card. Being self sufficient will lift a great weight off our family . I feel ashamed and embarrassed and I want and need to be able to support Anthony the way he has supported me and so many others. If you are unable to donate... then share our story . For all you do for our family, we are humbled.

Respectfully Jacqueline and Anthony