We are writing today because one of our own needs your help.  If you have met Elthon Peres, we are sure he brightened your day.   We knew we were lucky when Elthon came to work for Acoustic Ales.

When Elthon announced he & his wife, Laticia, were having a baby we were all looking forward to welcoming Baby Rafael into the world!  However, there was no one happier about it than Elthon.  On the evening of April 22nd at 6:26pm, Rafael came into the world!  Everyone was so excited to welcome him, but this is when the most joyous time turned into a parent’s worst nightmare.  Rafael was born but was not breathing.

Doctors immediately took him away without the new parents even being able to hold him.  They were left in a helpless situation, not knowing what was happening with their newborn child.  Rafael was resuscitated and taken to ICU where he was put on life support.  He was being monitored via life support but with no clear answers as to what had gone wrong.  Thankfully, after being on life support for several days Rafael started to stabilize and was able to start breathing on his own.

Over the next 10 days, they did many tests, including MRI’s, checking his lungs for possible aspiration, checking his blood for infections, and a spinal tap.  Rafael was put on antibiotics, anti-convulsive medication and anti-virus treatments.  The tests showed that the baby had suffered a stroke on the left side of his brain.  Although this news can be devastating, there is hope due to the neuroplasticity of an infant.  A newborn’s brain hasn’t decided yet which part of the brain does what so there can be re-routing and re-circuitry in the event of injuries to the brain. 

Elthon and Laticia have now been able to bring Rafael home.  Much is still unknown about his condition.  Rafael will be going through more tests, doctors appointments and therapies as they try to repair the damage proactively. They have maintained such a positive outlook during the most impossible of times.  

These times have been terrifying and devastating for Elthon & Laticia. 

Elthon & Laticia have not requested funding, but people have asked how they can help.  This is where we see they can use the support, so we have created this page for them. We are honored to have Elthon & his family be such an important part of our brewing family.