Here’s what happened

We have had a heartbreaking and life threatening situation come up in my daughter Rachel’s little family. On the last day of a long awaited family trip to Mexico, my grandson, Atlas, had a severe seizure. His parents have handled dozens of seizures and gave him the rescue meds they always carry. But because of vastly different services and systems in Mexico, Atlas had to be intubated and hospitalized due to major delays in starting emergency care.

He was intubated and placed on a ventilator at one hospital, then ambulanced to another hospital. He aspirated and now has pneumonia (which could be life threatening given his other medical diagnoses.) He is currently in the ICU, which is a big room with 15 other patients housed together. Medical care moves slower there than what we are used to in the States. There aren’t private rooms; no chairs that turn in to beds for tired parents, not even a cafeteria. The hardest part has been that because he is sedated, they don’t allow his parents at his bedside. They only get to see Atlas when the doctor is there. So they wait in the lobby on hard metal benches.

Here is why we are asking for help.

Their family will have medical bills due before they are even allowed to leave Mexico. They don’t let you carry the debt home and make payments over time. Their medical insurance won’t cover any care in Mexico. They already have a $3000 bill from the first hospital where they intubated him to stabilize him (He was only there 1 hour). Then there will be a bill for the ambulance ride an hour across town. He’s been in the ICU for over 48 hours now, with no talk of discharge yet, so this will be a big bill. The airline wouldn’t work with them so they need to repurchase 1 way tickets home. ($2700). Their little trip meant to introduce Atlas to his extended family is now indefinitely extended and his parents are now missing more work time.

We want to try and raise as much money as possible to help get these bills paid for so that Atlas and his family can get home ASAP. His birthday is coming up and he’ll recover faster at home and under the care of his team at our Children’s Hospital. PLEASE support this amazing family and donate any amount if you are able and PLEASE PLEASE share this page!

You can donate directly to Rachel’s Venmo: @TheOrtegas. I will give all funds raised here directly to Rachel.

Here is a little background

Atlas is the happiest little almost 3 year old! He spreads joy and peace to everyone he meets. He is also medically complex. He acquired a severe brain injury at birth which has led to the diagnosis of epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and severe developmental delays to name just a few. He is immobile, non verbal and GT feeding dependent. Atlas has always required intense, around the clock care. He has 10+ therapy and appointments each month. His seizures are generally controlled but it’s unpredictable when one will break through. Despite these challenges, Atlas has such a happy disposition and is truly a special spirit that blesses our family immensely. He brings a piece of Heaven to earth!