Standing Up for SSGT Jerry Torres
Donation protected
I humbly and respectfully have created this Go Fund Me on behalf of my father, SSGT Jerry Torres.
My father is a United States Marine (cause once a Marine, always a Marine). He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 1979 when he was just 17 years old and went to boot camp at MCRD Parris Island at Camp Lejeune, NC in November of the same year. His career took him all over the world and through his many deployments, he was able to see every corner of the world, train new Marines, and honorably serve his country for 20 years. If he could speak today, Papi would tell you that it is the second greatest honor of his life to be a United States Marine. If Papi could speak today, he would tell you the greatest honor of his life is to be our father.
Fast forward about 15 years after retirement… my dad becomes ill and after a misdiagnosis, many tests and long days and nights, he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, in 2014 at just 55 years old with an average prognosis of just 3 years. At this point, my dad moved into a Rehabilitation Center where he came to depend 100% on others as his mobility declined with the progression of the disease… the absolute last thing a Marine would accept or do.
We’ve been lucky to have my dad, but can’t ignore the extreme progression of his disease and have come to accept that he could leave us at any moment. Keeping this in mind, earlier this month, we moved my dad out of the rehabilitation center and into his own apartment so he could live his last days in peace and the comfort of his own home. With this, comes paying for caregiving essentially 24 hours as my father is completely immobile and unable to do anything for himself. Thankfully, there is assistance from the Veteran’s Administration but the reality is that it is not enough.
As I mentioned before, if Papi could speak, he would tell you that his greatest honor was to be our father. He always gave us whatever we wanted, he always took me to my soccer games, he always went to my JROTC events, he always was there. And today, as his daughter, I am attempting my hardest to fulfill his wish of passing in his own home and doing everything I absolutely can to honor him in his time of need.
All proceeds raised would go directly to paying for my father’s care and all costs associated so he can live in his own home.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for even reading this to the end and considering lending a helping hand.
My father is a United States Marine (cause once a Marine, always a Marine). He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 1979 when he was just 17 years old and went to boot camp at MCRD Parris Island at Camp Lejeune, NC in November of the same year. His career took him all over the world and through his many deployments, he was able to see every corner of the world, train new Marines, and honorably serve his country for 20 years. If he could speak today, Papi would tell you that it is the second greatest honor of his life to be a United States Marine. If Papi could speak today, he would tell you the greatest honor of his life is to be our father.
Fast forward about 15 years after retirement… my dad becomes ill and after a misdiagnosis, many tests and long days and nights, he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, in 2014 at just 55 years old with an average prognosis of just 3 years. At this point, my dad moved into a Rehabilitation Center where he came to depend 100% on others as his mobility declined with the progression of the disease… the absolute last thing a Marine would accept or do.
We’ve been lucky to have my dad, but can’t ignore the extreme progression of his disease and have come to accept that he could leave us at any moment. Keeping this in mind, earlier this month, we moved my dad out of the rehabilitation center and into his own apartment so he could live his last days in peace and the comfort of his own home. With this, comes paying for caregiving essentially 24 hours as my father is completely immobile and unable to do anything for himself. Thankfully, there is assistance from the Veteran’s Administration but the reality is that it is not enough.
As I mentioned before, if Papi could speak, he would tell you that his greatest honor was to be our father. He always gave us whatever we wanted, he always took me to my soccer games, he always went to my JROTC events, he always was there. And today, as his daughter, I am attempting my hardest to fulfill his wish of passing in his own home and doing everything I absolutely can to honor him in his time of need.
All proceeds raised would go directly to paying for my father’s care and all costs associated so he can live in his own home.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for even reading this to the end and considering lending a helping hand.
Organizer
Priscilla Torres
Organizer
San Diego, CA