Kindness wins over senseless violence
Donation protected
Hi I’m Fabio. I'm a soccer coach and Emergency Medical Technician in Seattle, Washington. I’m originally from Brazil. As a first responder, I do everything I can to help each time an emergency call comes in. I'm deeply saddened that I couldn't help my parents when they were attacked in their home, far away from me.
My parents are soul mates. My dad is a kind, humble man who likes to tell stories and loves my mom very much. They've never had money beyond what is needed for the basics, but they've always been happy because our family has always been close. This year they celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.
A few months ago something awful happened. In the early afternoon, my mom was in the kitchen when she started hearing someone trying to break in through the locked side door. She called out to my dad thinking it was him, but he quickly arrived from the hallway. My mom immediately ran to the living room window and started yelling to the neighbors for help. The door into the kitchen held but unfortunately the front door did not. Moments later, two men wearing masks broke into my parent's living room. There had been no time to call the police.
My parents were terrified. They didn't say anything. I'll never understand what happened next. For absolutely no reason, one of the men proceeded to severely beat my dad. In front of my mom, he hit my dad multiple times with a pipe he was carrying, aiming it directly at my dad's head. My dad was left bleeding and semiconscious on the floor.
The men left with the equivalent of $14 dollars and my mom's engagement ring. There wasn't much to steal.
My dad spent the next month in the hospital intensive care unit. The doctors said he shouldn't have survived the attack. He suffered multiple brain injuries. I believe he survived because he couldn't stand to leave my mom behind.
Almost five months have now passed and my dad has made progress, but his recovery is slow. He still needs help with even the most basic things, and can only walk short distances, and only with assistance. He's up frequently throughout the night, with nightmares and confused.
During this time we have been overwhelmed, taking care of my dad 24 hours a day and just trying to comprehend what happened. My sister flew in from another continent to help for many weeks too, but she has a young son to care for at home. At this point, my mom and I are emotionally and physically exhausted. In January I have to return to Seattle to go back to work.
Last week we came to the sad realization that we cannot take care of my dad by ourselves. He needs professional inpatient care to have the best chance of recovery, and my mom desperately needs to recover too. We are so grateful my mom was not physically harmed in the attack, but everything that has happened has taken a heavy toll on her.
We were relieved to find a reputable rehabilitation clinic nearby. We’re asking for help to offset the cost of the medical facility for the next several months, and to make things a little lighter for my parents as they transition into this next chapter of their lives.
The doctors tell us head traumas can take months or even years to heal, so we remain hopeful! We want my dad back, closer to his normal self, and my parents back together.
My parents were victims of a senseless crime. We're hoping they will also be graced by random love. Anything you can contribute will be appreciated more than you know.
Wishing you much love, peace and kindness!
Fabio
#helpkindnesswin
My parents are soul mates. My dad is a kind, humble man who likes to tell stories and loves my mom very much. They've never had money beyond what is needed for the basics, but they've always been happy because our family has always been close. This year they celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.
A few months ago something awful happened. In the early afternoon, my mom was in the kitchen when she started hearing someone trying to break in through the locked side door. She called out to my dad thinking it was him, but he quickly arrived from the hallway. My mom immediately ran to the living room window and started yelling to the neighbors for help. The door into the kitchen held but unfortunately the front door did not. Moments later, two men wearing masks broke into my parent's living room. There had been no time to call the police.
My parents were terrified. They didn't say anything. I'll never understand what happened next. For absolutely no reason, one of the men proceeded to severely beat my dad. In front of my mom, he hit my dad multiple times with a pipe he was carrying, aiming it directly at my dad's head. My dad was left bleeding and semiconscious on the floor.
The men left with the equivalent of $14 dollars and my mom's engagement ring. There wasn't much to steal.
My dad spent the next month in the hospital intensive care unit. The doctors said he shouldn't have survived the attack. He suffered multiple brain injuries. I believe he survived because he couldn't stand to leave my mom behind.
Almost five months have now passed and my dad has made progress, but his recovery is slow. He still needs help with even the most basic things, and can only walk short distances, and only with assistance. He's up frequently throughout the night, with nightmares and confused.
During this time we have been overwhelmed, taking care of my dad 24 hours a day and just trying to comprehend what happened. My sister flew in from another continent to help for many weeks too, but she has a young son to care for at home. At this point, my mom and I are emotionally and physically exhausted. In January I have to return to Seattle to go back to work.
Last week we came to the sad realization that we cannot take care of my dad by ourselves. He needs professional inpatient care to have the best chance of recovery, and my mom desperately needs to recover too. We are so grateful my mom was not physically harmed in the attack, but everything that has happened has taken a heavy toll on her.
We were relieved to find a reputable rehabilitation clinic nearby. We’re asking for help to offset the cost of the medical facility for the next several months, and to make things a little lighter for my parents as they transition into this next chapter of their lives.
The doctors tell us head traumas can take months or even years to heal, so we remain hopeful! We want my dad back, closer to his normal self, and my parents back together.
My parents were victims of a senseless crime. We're hoping they will also be graced by random love. Anything you can contribute will be appreciated more than you know.
Wishing you much love, peace and kindness!
Fabio
#helpkindnesswin
Organizer and beneficiary
Laura Steckbauer
Organizer
Seattle, WA
Fabio Almeida
Beneficiary