The Motola Family Needs Your Help
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My name is Joseph Motola and I am from Staten Island, N.Y. I am 23 years old and until a year ago I lived with my disabled veteran father, my mother who worked 3 jobs to support us and my 24 yr old brother. I recently graduated from the College of Staten Island with a BA in Education. I am continuing on to graduate school to receive my masters and am in the process of acquiring the certifications needed to become a NYC school teacher.
Sadly, In February of 2014 my father was rushed to the hospital with severe breathing difficulties. It was eventually determined that he had pneumonia. He developed an infection and after a few weeks he passed away in May. My family spent every day with my father and was ultimately devastated by his passing. My older brother and I are trying to support our family but we are still in serious debt. With support from family and friends we struggled to get past the hole my father’s death left.
In December of that same year my mother fell ill, rapidly losing control of her motor skills. She was unable to stand, walk, talk and lost almost all coordination. The doctors were initially at a loss to diagnose her condition. Eventually it was determined that my mother had ovarian cancer. The cancer led to a rare autoimmune response in her body called Paraneoplastic Syndrome which causes cerebellar degeneration (ataxia). The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls motor function.
Paraneoplastic Syndrome occurs in only 1% of women stricken with ovarian cancer. Even if the cancer responds to treatment the damage to the brain usually is irreversible.
I am also trying to raise awareness of this condition and hopefully with further research and early detection the prognosis for women suffering from this will improve.
My mother is now bedridden and in a nursing home. I travel 4 hours a day to be with her and help with her physical, occupational and speech therapy. After a few weeks our insurance stopped paying for these services and she quickly declined. I try my best each day to keep her in a stable place. Each day my family goes further into debt with hospital and medical bills piling up. By donating/sharing/sending prayers/ you are helping my family get through this troubled time. The money donated will be used for medical bills and to hopefully
bring my mother home.
Thank you for your support and love.
Sadly, In February of 2014 my father was rushed to the hospital with severe breathing difficulties. It was eventually determined that he had pneumonia. He developed an infection and after a few weeks he passed away in May. My family spent every day with my father and was ultimately devastated by his passing. My older brother and I are trying to support our family but we are still in serious debt. With support from family and friends we struggled to get past the hole my father’s death left.
In December of that same year my mother fell ill, rapidly losing control of her motor skills. She was unable to stand, walk, talk and lost almost all coordination. The doctors were initially at a loss to diagnose her condition. Eventually it was determined that my mother had ovarian cancer. The cancer led to a rare autoimmune response in her body called Paraneoplastic Syndrome which causes cerebellar degeneration (ataxia). The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls motor function.
Paraneoplastic Syndrome occurs in only 1% of women stricken with ovarian cancer. Even if the cancer responds to treatment the damage to the brain usually is irreversible.
I am also trying to raise awareness of this condition and hopefully with further research and early detection the prognosis for women suffering from this will improve.
My mother is now bedridden and in a nursing home. I travel 4 hours a day to be with her and help with her physical, occupational and speech therapy. After a few weeks our insurance stopped paying for these services and she quickly declined. I try my best each day to keep her in a stable place. Each day my family goes further into debt with hospital and medical bills piling up. By donating/sharing/sending prayers/ you are helping my family get through this troubled time. The money donated will be used for medical bills and to hopefully
bring my mother home.
Thank you for your support and love.
Organizer
Joseph Motola
Organizer
Staten Island, NY