In 2021, Mario and Serena reconnected after dating 9 years earlier. They discovered their love was stronger and deeper than ever. They began to dream of a life together: a farm, a family, and a marriage that would last a lifetime.

 

They got married and 7 months ago were overjoyed to learn they are expecting a baby. Mario often told Serena how he could not wait to embrace their baby the moment it entered the world. A few months later, Serena left her job and Mario left the company he had been with since high school (nearly 25 years) to get to work on their dream of starting a farm before the baby arrived. They bought pigs and chickens and made plans for much more.

 

On May 22, 2022, Serena became concerned when Mario didn’t come home for dinner. She searched their property and found him unconscious. He had been in a dirt biking accident and it was bad. He was airlifted from Kaiser Santa Rosa to UC Davis. She rushed to be by his side, arranging care for their many animals on her drive. When she arrived the news she heard shattered her world. Mario was in a coma with broken ribs, a broken clavicle, broken teeth, an injury to one of the main blood vessels in his neck, a damaged brain stem, and a brain injury impacting his neurons and frontal lobe. His prognosis was unknown and things were looking grim. At seven months pregnant, Serena had to face the possibility that her beloved husband might not wake up. As the days and weeks went by, Mario began to show subtle signs of improvement. Eventually, he began to open his eyes and could recognize Serena.

 

Throughout the ordeal, Serena has remained hopeful and has never lost faith that Mario will regain all the strength, movement, and cognitive ability he possessed prior to the accident. She has held steadfast in her belief that every day he is getting better and will be able to be present for his child’s birth as he always dreamed. She is now beginning to face the reality that he may not be able to attend the birth in his current condition - and the more uncertain reality of what is to come.

 

While Mario continues to improve, there is a long road ahead with no guarantees as to what abilities he will regain. Currently, Mario is able to recognize Serena, squeeze her hand, and has begun the long, arduous process of physical therapy. He is hooked up to feeding and breathing tubes and has very little movement in the majority of his body which is believed to be due to his brain injury. There was a breakthrough recently in which he was able to raise a cup to his lips when asked what it is used for.

 

Since the accident, Serena has been traveling back and forth to UC Davis to be by Mario’s side. The medical team feels her presence is a valuable piece of his recovery, and she wants to be there to advocate for his care. Their baby is due in 8 weeks and she is trying to arrange a way to give birth at UC Davis to be near him.

 

Hotel rooms are costing Serena around $200 a night, plus the cost of gas and food while she is there. Serena is being as frugal as possible, but costs are adding up. All this plus normal living expenses and the new time and expense of caring for their many farm animals with no income is becoming too much for Serena to bear on her own. Navigating all of this while seven months pregnant is unimaginably stressful.

 

I have known Serena for nine years. She is one of the most caring and compassionate people I have ever met and would do all she could to help any person or animal. Serena has a huge heart and it is breaking mine to see all that she is faced with right now. Though the thought of a Gofundme made Serena uncomfortable, I was able to persuade her to allow me to share her story. With all she has given my family these past 9 years, I believe trying to raise awareness of her story in the hopes of easing her current financial burden during this unthinkable time is the very least I can do.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read Serena and Mario’s story. Please consider giving if you are able, sharing with your network, or simply sending positive thoughts and healing energy to this young family.