Support Our Dad’s Road to Recovery from GBS

Dear friends, family, & community,

As some of you know, our father, Rene, was hospitalized nearly two months ago when he lost feeling in his legs. In a matter of days, it spread to his arms and throat resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis, and other medical complications. After extensive tests and three hospital transfers, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). GBS is a rare neuroimmune disorder in which the body attacks the peripheral nerves, causing weakness in muscles, throat, mouth, lungs, and ultimately, paralysis. After IVIG and plasma exchange treatments he finally became medically stable and was then sent to an acute rehab facility for 2.5 weeks. One week ago, he was discharged and sent home.

Our father is still immobile, unable to walk, unable to use his hands and arms, and with limited swallowing abilities, and yet way better than he was before. Although he will have a nurse and physical therapists visit him at home a couple times a week, he now requires full-time day and night care at home (taking vitals, administering meds, feeding, changing, bathing, exercises, scheduling/transport to medical appointments, etc.).

There is no cure for GBS but with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and treatment, patients can recover mobility and get their lives back. However, the recovery process is a slow one. While every case is unique, the average recovery span can take from 6 months to 1 or 3 years.

While our father’s illness has turned our world upside down, making this one of the most difficult times in our lives, we are so happy there is hope for his recovery regardless of the hard work and sacrifices the future will require from all of us. However, this has also affected our parent’s financial stability since my father was the sole provider for the house where he and my mother reside. All us siblings live out-of-state and have always contributed financially. But, since his illness, we have also taken over all of my father’s financial responsibilities as well as medical expenses not covered by insurance, equipment needed to make the house accessible for my dad, along with car and house repairs that emerged during his hospitalization. But this is not feasible for us in the long run as we have depleted our funds, and there are still much more expenses to come. Unfortunately, because my father was an independent contractor, and do to bureaucracies, he does not qualify for disability benefits despite being disabled.

Many of you, friends and community, have been wonderful, supportive and generous to us during these times. We are so grateful. Some have also offered to assist financially, and therefore we have created this Go Fund Me for our father to support his road to recovery from GBS and living expenses as he heals and regains his strength and mobility. Because of the lengthy recovery (1-3 years) and the denial of disability benefits to him, all funds will go towards his living expenses and medical expenses not covered by insurance.

As you may know, our father is a fighter and has an incredible work ethic that has inspired all his children. He has also helped so many family members and friends and is loved and respected for his kind and generous spirit, and we are honored to take care of him as he deserves. No amount is too small, and if you are unable to contribute, we welcome all healing vibes and prayers.

Thank you in advance.

Kency, Xiomara, Edlin, & Rene Jr.