Everything Changes When You Give a Little Change
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To all family, friends and people who are willing to help:
Our brother, Orlando Rodriguez, a Father, Grandfather, animal lover, and competitive cyclist, has been injured badly! Broken ribs, broken collar bone, fractured scapula, multiple abrasions and damage to his lung. First, disaster caused in Puerto Rico by hurricane Maria had made hospital conditions almost unbearable for him. Now at home and unable to work, he faces even more struggles along with his injuries. Sky high medical bills, medications, physical therapies, follow up appointments, house bills, etc., are piling up and they will only increase without help. Though, he would never ask for it, he really needs your donations. To know the brother we love, and how he used his talents for those in need, feel free to read his story. Until then, please give what you can. Thank you in advanced!
WHO IS HE?:
Since he was a child, Orlando has been a silent hero. At 10 years of age, Orlando began his mission to help lives with his first assisted delivery of the 14 puppies that belonged to his first pet Freckles. Not afraid of removing the birth membrane off from the puppies, with so much joy in his heart he welcomed them to the World. After that day he was hooked!
From there, Orlando dedicated himself to caring for and/or rescuing the animals that needed his help. But why would anyone want to put so much effort into the animals? "I try to put myself in their place, it has to be very difficult not to have a home, food or even water, and still try to survive, but surviving physical difficulties cannot be as bad as it must be to survive evil in the heart of who abandons them", Orlando said. He had rescued two dogs which one of them he kept, Firu.
But he did not stop only with the animals, because people need people too. So, how can he help people? He noticed cyclists on the road and heard that they do it not only as a sport, but also to raise funds for the needs of others. Then, he found a great outlet!
Orlando does not ask, but he likes to give. It is part of his core and very deep in his heart to want to change the world in terms of animals and nature. As for cycling, Orlando not only sees it as a sport, but as a way of life. He uses jokes and goodwill to encourage other cyclists to get out of any negative state and emotional health. It is a brotherhood!!!
OBSTACLES FACED:
1. Immediately, after the accident, Orlando was taken to the first of two hospitals. On the day of the accident, the doctors felt that it was only necessary to take a single x-ray of his collarbone before sending him home. The next day, Orlando received a call from the same hospital saying it was urgent that he return for a second x-ray of his chest.
2. Upon receiving chest x-ray results, it was found that Orlando had multiple fractures of the front and back ribs, with ribs # 2 to # 6 that collapsed. The x-ray also revealed fractures in his scapula, as well as a hematoma in the lung. Due to the severity of his newly diagnosed injuries, the doctor ordered him to be taken to the trauma section of a new hospital.
3. The reduction of personnel, due to the current state of Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria, Orlando had to wait for hours before an ambulance could pick him up for transportation. The new hospital had the same situation as the last one in terms of being short staffed. After registering, Orlando had to wait until the next day to receive the operation for which the previous doctor had rushed him. Meanwhile, he was given high levels of morphine to sedate him until he could undergo surgery.
4. On the day of surgery, he needed a chest tube to drain the accumulated blood in his lung and an operation to repair his clavicle. After a day of recovery, an orthopedic doctor noticed that his lung function had been reduced by 20% and ordered another emergency surgery to repair the collapsed ribs that obstructed the space of the thoracic cavity. However, again, due to lack of personnel, they had to delay the operation for another four days.
5. After waiting, there was no information on when the surgery was scheduled. Orlando, who was mostly sedated during those four days, had very little to eat and was extremely hungry. As we still did not know when the surgery was going to be done, my dad gave him some food. Shortly after having eaten, the doctor appeared and said that since he had eaten, they would have to cancel the surgery. Orlando would have to wait two more days for the surgery.
6. On April 25, the day of the surgery, the doctors informed my father that, due to problems with the insurance, they would not do the surgery, and instead they said that he would be discharged and sent home. My dad was very anguished, we all were. I knew that under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Work Act (EMTLA), which was approved by Congress in 1986, all hospital emergency departments were required to provide medical treatment regardless of citizenship, legal status or ability to pay. It also states that hospitals cannot transfer or discharge patients who need emergency treatment. My dad assumed the responsibility and spoke with the hospital management and reminded them of this law.
7. Subsequently, the hospital agreed to operate our brother under the condition to pay $5,000 for the operating tray plus the metal they would use to repair the ribs. Although we were angry, exhausted and stressed, we were able to gather $2,500 among the family members and we demanded that this be enough for the moment. The doctors reluctantly accepted the amount and performed the surgery. Five hours later, to our relief, Orlando had finally come out of surgery. However, what we did not know was that it was not yet out of trouble. During the recovery, they noticed that the blood draining from his lung had not stopped. They kept the tube in their lung to help continue draining the blood in the hope of a total pulmonary drainage.
8. After five days of recovery and a rotation of family members to help him during the long nights, Orlando was discharged. Now, outside the hospital, Orlando will have to attend many appointments as of May 7th.
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED?:
• Mortgage • Auto Loan • Groceries • Medical Supplies • Medicines • Hospital Payoff bills • Utilities • Gasoline for medical visits • Other
WHY DOES THIS CAUSE MEANS SO MUCH TO US?:
Our family has always respected the golden rule. Do for others what you would like to be done for you. Of all our siblings, Orlando has emulated this very much. We knew from the first time he made biking for a cause to help others, that it was not just a sport, helping others through hard work and personal sacrifice was his legacy.
Those who have met Orlando know that he has always had the desire to help others. We see him dealing with his physical pain every day and it breaks our hearts because we can't take it off. I know that his perspective on life has created a special and unique strength in our brother Orlando. Once Orlando gets back on his feet, he can remain so committed, compassionate and full of that beautiful spirit of adventure that we love to see in him.
TO OUR DONORS:
For all who decide to help our brother, YOU have become our hero. How can we say thank you? How do you thank those who have brought the light of the sun into the storm, who give light in our hearts where there was only darkness and despair? Know that what you decide to do for our brother will be an excellent example of advance payment. Because of what you will do to help our brother, he will surely use it to continue helping others who also need it.
Respectfully,
Rodríguez Pérez Family
P.S. Feel free to see the photos, which some show the amounts owe to the hospitals.
To all family, friends and people who are willing to help:
Our brother, Orlando Rodriguez, a Father, Grandfather, animal lover, and competitive cyclist, has been injured badly! Broken ribs, broken collar bone, fractured scapula, multiple abrasions and damage to his lung. First, disaster caused in Puerto Rico by hurricane Maria had made hospital conditions almost unbearable for him. Now at home and unable to work, he faces even more struggles along with his injuries. Sky high medical bills, medications, physical therapies, follow up appointments, house bills, etc., are piling up and they will only increase without help. Though, he would never ask for it, he really needs your donations. To know the brother we love, and how he used his talents for those in need, feel free to read his story. Until then, please give what you can. Thank you in advanced!
WHO IS HE?:
Since he was a child, Orlando has been a silent hero. At 10 years of age, Orlando began his mission to help lives with his first assisted delivery of the 14 puppies that belonged to his first pet Freckles. Not afraid of removing the birth membrane off from the puppies, with so much joy in his heart he welcomed them to the World. After that day he was hooked!
From there, Orlando dedicated himself to caring for and/or rescuing the animals that needed his help. But why would anyone want to put so much effort into the animals? "I try to put myself in their place, it has to be very difficult not to have a home, food or even water, and still try to survive, but surviving physical difficulties cannot be as bad as it must be to survive evil in the heart of who abandons them", Orlando said. He had rescued two dogs which one of them he kept, Firu.
But he did not stop only with the animals, because people need people too. So, how can he help people? He noticed cyclists on the road and heard that they do it not only as a sport, but also to raise funds for the needs of others. Then, he found a great outlet!
Orlando does not ask, but he likes to give. It is part of his core and very deep in his heart to want to change the world in terms of animals and nature. As for cycling, Orlando not only sees it as a sport, but as a way of life. He uses jokes and goodwill to encourage other cyclists to get out of any negative state and emotional health. It is a brotherhood!!!
OBSTACLES FACED:
1. Immediately, after the accident, Orlando was taken to the first of two hospitals. On the day of the accident, the doctors felt that it was only necessary to take a single x-ray of his collarbone before sending him home. The next day, Orlando received a call from the same hospital saying it was urgent that he return for a second x-ray of his chest.
2. Upon receiving chest x-ray results, it was found that Orlando had multiple fractures of the front and back ribs, with ribs # 2 to # 6 that collapsed. The x-ray also revealed fractures in his scapula, as well as a hematoma in the lung. Due to the severity of his newly diagnosed injuries, the doctor ordered him to be taken to the trauma section of a new hospital.
3. The reduction of personnel, due to the current state of Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria, Orlando had to wait for hours before an ambulance could pick him up for transportation. The new hospital had the same situation as the last one in terms of being short staffed. After registering, Orlando had to wait until the next day to receive the operation for which the previous doctor had rushed him. Meanwhile, he was given high levels of morphine to sedate him until he could undergo surgery.
4. On the day of surgery, he needed a chest tube to drain the accumulated blood in his lung and an operation to repair his clavicle. After a day of recovery, an orthopedic doctor noticed that his lung function had been reduced by 20% and ordered another emergency surgery to repair the collapsed ribs that obstructed the space of the thoracic cavity. However, again, due to lack of personnel, they had to delay the operation for another four days.
5. After waiting, there was no information on when the surgery was scheduled. Orlando, who was mostly sedated during those four days, had very little to eat and was extremely hungry. As we still did not know when the surgery was going to be done, my dad gave him some food. Shortly after having eaten, the doctor appeared and said that since he had eaten, they would have to cancel the surgery. Orlando would have to wait two more days for the surgery.
6. On April 25, the day of the surgery, the doctors informed my father that, due to problems with the insurance, they would not do the surgery, and instead they said that he would be discharged and sent home. My dad was very anguished, we all were. I knew that under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Work Act (EMTLA), which was approved by Congress in 1986, all hospital emergency departments were required to provide medical treatment regardless of citizenship, legal status or ability to pay. It also states that hospitals cannot transfer or discharge patients who need emergency treatment. My dad assumed the responsibility and spoke with the hospital management and reminded them of this law.
7. Subsequently, the hospital agreed to operate our brother under the condition to pay $5,000 for the operating tray plus the metal they would use to repair the ribs. Although we were angry, exhausted and stressed, we were able to gather $2,500 among the family members and we demanded that this be enough for the moment. The doctors reluctantly accepted the amount and performed the surgery. Five hours later, to our relief, Orlando had finally come out of surgery. However, what we did not know was that it was not yet out of trouble. During the recovery, they noticed that the blood draining from his lung had not stopped. They kept the tube in their lung to help continue draining the blood in the hope of a total pulmonary drainage.
8. After five days of recovery and a rotation of family members to help him during the long nights, Orlando was discharged. Now, outside the hospital, Orlando will have to attend many appointments as of May 7th.
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED?:
• Mortgage • Auto Loan • Groceries • Medical Supplies • Medicines • Hospital Payoff bills • Utilities • Gasoline for medical visits • Other
WHY DOES THIS CAUSE MEANS SO MUCH TO US?:
Our family has always respected the golden rule. Do for others what you would like to be done for you. Of all our siblings, Orlando has emulated this very much. We knew from the first time he made biking for a cause to help others, that it was not just a sport, helping others through hard work and personal sacrifice was his legacy.
Those who have met Orlando know that he has always had the desire to help others. We see him dealing with his physical pain every day and it breaks our hearts because we can't take it off. I know that his perspective on life has created a special and unique strength in our brother Orlando. Once Orlando gets back on his feet, he can remain so committed, compassionate and full of that beautiful spirit of adventure that we love to see in him.
TO OUR DONORS:
For all who decide to help our brother, YOU have become our hero. How can we say thank you? How do you thank those who have brought the light of the sun into the storm, who give light in our hearts where there was only darkness and despair? Know that what you decide to do for our brother will be an excellent example of advance payment. Because of what you will do to help our brother, he will surely use it to continue helping others who also need it.
Respectfully,
Rodríguez Pérez Family
P.S. Feel free to see the photos, which some show the amounts owe to the hospitals.
Organizer
Ana Rodriguez
Organizer
Bayamón, PR