Funds For Francesco

A little over a year ago, I began working with a new client, Francesco Califano,  who had just been diagnosed with ALS.  ALS is a “progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord”.  Basically the nerve cells break down causing the weakening, spasming and ridgidity of the muscles in the body.   Francesco was coming to me for massage therapy and stretching, as his body was beginning to tighten.   At that time, he was driving himself and walking into my office.  Now, a year and a half later, I'm traveling to him for his treatments because he can no longer walk.  As a result of working with him in his home, I have had the pleasure of getting to know his family, who are his caregivers.  I am not just employed by them, but I feel we have devoloped a beautiful friendship.   I only wish I could have met them under happier circumstances.  This has truly been an extremely devastating year for all of them.  Because of the time I am now spending with them, I get to see first hand the daily struggles each of them endure in the face of this despicable disease.  For Francesco, once a vibrant, athletic man who loved to workout at the gym and also a musician who played guitar, piano and sang, losing the use of his body has been devastating.  Everything he loved to do has been taken from him.  In less than two years, he has lost the ability to use his hands, so he no longer can play his guitars and piano and make music.  He has has lost complete control of one arm, and he can no longer walk without the help of someone assisting him.  Navigating stairs is completely out of the question now, and his parents have had to install a chair lift to move him up and downstairs in their split level home.  Basically, he has lost his ability to care for himself at all.  He is so blessed to have such wonderful loving parents and a sister to help him.  However, the toll it is taking on his parents, Alfonso and Angela Califano and his sister Claudia, is just as devasting.  His heartbreaking diagnosis and level of care he needs has completely broken them down physically, mentally and emotionally.  Not only is it affecting them emotionally knowing there is no cure for this disease, but it also is affecting them physically.  The demand of care for him is very difficult.  Francesco is 44 years old, and his parents are in their senior years.  Not only do they have to lift him several times a day, but they sleep with one eye open every night due to the fact they have to get up several times to help Francesco.  They don't get a lot of sleep and have had to alter their work schedules to care for him around the clock, which has affected their income.  ALS is not a cheap disease to get through.  There is a lot involved with the care of someone suffering from this disease.  There are physical therapies to keep the muscles stimulated and joints moving, occupational therapy to help with personal care, medical procedures, medications, medical equipment to help move the patient, etc.  As time moves forward for the Califano family, they will be in need of many medical procedures for Francesco as well as medical equipment.  He has also been undergoing some stem cell procedures to help slow down the disease and hopefully, even reverse some of the effects it has had on his body.  This, too, is not a cheap procedure!  I'm asking anyone who can help this family to please reach out.  Because Francesco is 44 years old and can no longer work, his medical bills are covered by Medicare, which doesn't really cover much at all.  Where he should be gettting physical therapy every day, his Medicare only covers 2 days/week.  The rest has to come out of pocket.  And any handicap home alterations and some medical equipment are also not covered.  I'm seeking $100,000 for them to help cover these expenses that will be incurring over the next few years.  Any amount given will help.  Thank you all so much for your love, support and generosity.