Hey, for those who do not know me, my name is Kimberly Rayas. I am writing this on behalf of my father, Jose Rayas.

My father is a caring, hard working and extremely selfless man. Those who know him can attest to this. My father has always been the rock of our family – an unimaginably devoted father, a loving husband, and a man who has worked tirelessly to provide for those he loves.

On Monday, February 11th, my father was rushed to the hospital following a horrible, life altering medical episode that occurred while he was at work.

My father suffered from an ischemic stroke, paired with an optic stroke in his left eye which reduces blood flow to the optic nerve and can damage the optic nerve leading to blood loss. These strokes affected 3 parts of his brain and optic nerves, which led to his hospitalization.

My father was in the ICU for a week. He is a provider for his family and such a big and strong man, but was unrecognizable. As a result of these strokes, he has lost COMPLETE vision in his left eye, limited control over the left side of his body, and it has affected his speech and comprehension.

When my father was discharged, we thought the worst part was over but we were wrong. At around 3 am that same day, he started to exhibit and experience symptoms that were extremely similar to the ones that led to his original hospitalization. The entire left side of his face began to droop and he became paralyzed on said side. He was rushed to the hospital and straight into surgery. To show the type of man my father was, even in this extreme state of confusion and pain, his speech slurred, face drooping, and partially paralyzed, he managed to comprehend the severity of his situation and he looked defeated as he seemed to accept his fate. Yet all he asked for in that moment was to say goodbye to us, his family, and begged that we take care of one another because he knew that it was his time and he was leaving us. It was heart wrenching to see my father, a strong, positive and stoic man give up hope and see the pain in his eyes as he was saying goodbye to us. I begged and pleaded for my father to stay strong and hopeful and put his faith in me. I am far from religious but I prayed that day to anyone and everyone that would listen, even my brother in heaven asking him to send our father back down to me if he went up there to meet him.

On that day, it was confirmed that my father had suffered a fourth stroke, a cryptogenic stroke, which means the underlying cause couldn't be identified even after thorough medical evaluation/tests.

Thankfully we did not lose him but the neurosurgeon informed us that my father has a very long recovery road ahead of him: months of rehab, intense treatments, lots of specialists visits including but not limited to cardiologists, neurologists, and ophthalmologist, labs, medications, and at-home as well as outpatient physical therapy.

My father underwent a procedure in which they put in a heart monitor device to monitor his heart 24/7 for 3+ years. This device is necessary for my father’s survival, and we will have to pay monthly monitoring fees as well as the cost of the procedure itself which cost well over 100k.

After much deliberation and working alongside various case managers and social workers to get these costs lowered, it still won't be remotely close to anything we can afford on our own. I was able to get the over 100k procedure costs down to roughly 40k.

This fourth stroke landed him in a private hospital which means better care, and that all procedure costs were/are out of pocket.

My father has yet to recover vision in his left eye and the optometry rehabilitation alone is really costly. He has suffered from deficits that have left him unable to walk without the help of a walker, as well as effects on his ability to retain information and memory.

My father has always been an active person who referees soccer games, and has always loved to take in nature and all its beauties. He has been left in a state where he feels helpless and is challenged with a long and difficult road ahead, requiring months of rehabilitation and suffering.

We are asking for any help that could possibly be given to aid with the medical bills he acquired as a result of not only his hospital stay but to help cover costs for his future outpatient procedures and necessary rehab. All we want is to help my father get back to some semblance of normalcy. He will require constant monitoring/ supervision at home and we cannot afford constant home health aid. I’m turning to the Community at this time of need to see if anyone can lend a hand in any way they can.

We have been able to lean on family friends in helping us with everyday tasks such as transportation and groceries but I cannot burden them further to request for more financial support as we navigate this intense health crisis with my father.

We are asking anyone in our community,and anyone who would be kind enough to help lend us your support. Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated and an immense help ensuring my father's medical bills are taken care of, and giving our family some peace of mind in these trying times.

We would appreciate your help in sharing this out to your networks and for all contributions that could be made at this time.

With love and our complete and total gratitude,

The Rayas Family