Please support this extraordinary man's recovery!

Whether you know him as Tony or Noño, you know that this wonderful man embodies kindness, generosity, integrity, and love. Tony is a man who is always willing to help others and always goes the extra mile to make sure everyone is taken care of. This beautiful soul cares about others with every fiber of his being; it is evident in everything he does. We all have a story to share about Tony making us laugh, encouraging us, helping us with a big project, having a heart-to-heart conversation, or giving us a boost in some way. He has built his entire life, home, and small business with his own two hands, is a pillar of his family, and never backs down from a difficult task.

Now, he is facing the most challenging experience of his life and will need a community to get him through. We humbly ask for assistance from those able to contribute, as his family will now be focused on caring for their hero.

The Accident -

On Sept 1, 2022, Tony fell from a ladder while working on a project in his backyard. He was found by his wife and son, then immediately rushed to a Trauma Center by ambulance where he underwent emergency neurosurgery to address the bleeding on his brain. A portion of his skull was removed to accommodate the swelling from the impact. Brain scans after the surgery indicated that he had suffered a stroke, likely the reason for his fall from the ladder.

Tony spent 22 days in the ICU on full life-support where he was heavily sedated and unresponsive as medical teams worked to keep him stable and monitor pressure from the swelling around his brain.

On Day 23, he was moved from the trauma ICU to his network hospital and has started showing signs of improvement. He slowly began initiating his own breaths, and after three weeks he is now breathing on his own while receiving oxygen through a tracheostomy tube. He is also receiving nutrition through a tube in his abdomen. This past week he started moving his limbs and has begun to open his eyes for brief periods. We know that he hears us and smiles when we are joyful with him.

Going Forward -

Every single nurse the family has spoken with has advised that Tony's best chances for recovery will require a lot of stimulation and therapy, which he, unfortunately, is not currently receiving at the hospital. The doctors have informed us that they want to move him into a long-term care facility, but it was made very clear to his family that he would get even less attention than he is currently receiving. Since he is still unable to communicate, the only safe, acceptable option is to bring him home, where his family can provide the necessary love and care for him on the very long road ahead.

Tony has placed loving touches on every inch of his home. We are confident that he will feel that same love surrounding him. His wife of 48 years and two children will become his primary caregivers providing the 24-hour care and attention needed, but they have been informed that a great deal of additional services will be required.

Insurance hardly covers the basics of what is essential for Home Healthcare, so most of the necessary services and supplies will be out-of-pocket costs to the family.

Nurse visits, physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy, neurorehabilitation, plus additional caretakers will need to be hired directly by the family. Supplies to care for his trach and feeding tubes, monitoring equipment, hospital bed and oxygen tank rentals, as well as his prescriptions, come with a heavy cost.

Tony has given so much of himself to his family, friends, loved ones, and clients throughout his entire life and we will do everything in our power to provide for him when he needs it most.

Asking for financial support is extremely difficult for them. Tony and his family are strong, hardworking, and humble. They are taking on this huge responsibility because of their love, honor, and respect for this exceptional, giant-hearted man. We all know he deserves every opportunity to recover.

Based on the estimates we have gathered, we hope the goal amount will help cover a portion of this next year's medical and therapeutic support, Home Healthcare supplies, and specialized care.

Every bit helps. We humbly ask you to contribute if you're able. Tony would never ask for support, but we are asking on his behalf now.

If you are not in a position to contribute financially, we would gratefully accept your support in other ways and, of course, your prayers for his recovery and comfort.

With eternal, heartfelt gratitude... We thank you

This gofundme page was created by Kailee, Tony's neice. The generous donations will be withdrawn by Tony's wife, Mara, and will be put directly towards the hiring of caregivers, at-home nurses, therapy, medicines, transportation, and other healthcare costs.