For the LOVE of BIG RAY

BIG RAY was the face (and muscle) of the most beloved UES bar, Dorrian’s. If you barhopped into the wee hours on the UES anytime since 1998, you probably met Big Ray. The enforcer at the door, Big Ray was also the biggest, sweetheart and teddy bear. He took care of so many of us for those years, it’s now our turn to meaningfully return the favor. He was temporarily paralyzed as a result of complications from Covid, and more than ever he needs our support. Here’s a message from BIG RAY himself...

March madness took on a new name last year: COVID-19. And the monster that is this vicious virus continues to live on and take thousands of lives every day. 

As some may know, I am one of the fortunate ones who survived COVID — but it changed my life forever.


For a month, I suffered severely. I struggled to eat, sleep, and breathe.... things I had always taken for granted prior to getting sick. I lived in constant fear of losing my own life or passing the virus on to others. It wasn't until mid-April 2020 that I was finally able to hug my daughter again without worrying I'd get her sick.


Upon recovering, I got acclimated with the new "COVID world" and way of life. I took every recommended precaution: I wore a mask; constantly washed and sanitized my hands; practiced social distancing; and so on. I thought I'd remain safe and healthy by being careful. But just a month later, in May 2020, upon leaving a scheduled doctor's appointment, I realized I felt off.


During my drive home, I started to feel extremely weak. My feet and hands started going numb. By the time I reached home the pain had worsened. My daughter greeted me at the front door and asked me if I was okay. She sensed I wasn't. I stared back at her little face as tears began to roll down my eyes. I was thinking that she should never have to worry about her dad being sick, yet again.

I struggled to get into the house. All I wanted to do was lay down and take a nap. I figured that I just needed some rest. Since contracting the virus, my breathing had never been the same as it was prior to my COVID diagnosis. It was labored and I'd often lose my breath when walking long distances. I assumed it was a long-term side effect of the virus...so I assumed this particular "episode" was related to that.


However, when I tried to get out of bed the next morning my knees buckled and I fell to the floor. I called 9-1-1 and was rushed to the hospital. I was temporarily paralyzed and the doctors had no idea as to what happened to me. I was hospitalized for several months, unable to see any friends or family — which can be crucial to one's recovery. I was left feeling scared, depressed and hopeless.The only shadow of hope was the rainbows that I could see outside of my hospital window.  

After several tests, the doctors diagnosed me with having Gullians Barre. My nervous system was compromised due to me having a severe viral infection caused by COVID-19. Moreover, with the new information the doctors were able to be more aggressive than they had been with my therapy. I ended up having to go to a rehab center for three months to learn how to walk again.

Currently, I am unable to return to work, due to my diagnosis and the long-term complications and disabilities COVID-19 has left me with. I had been the primary financial provider for my family -- and I'm unable to support them at this time. So I'm here to ask for help. I understand this has been a difficult year for so many, and not everyone is in a position to donate, but if you're able, we'd be eternally grateful for any help you can offer during these trying times. 

On behalf of myself and my family, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Love,

Raymond C Vidal Jr