Help Joe Adapt to Life After Quad Limb Amputation

We want to thank everyone for the overwhelming love and support shown to our family during this incredibly challenging time. So many of you have reached out, asking how you can help, so we wanted to share our dad’s journey and explain how your support could make a difference.

On June 29th, our dad was rushed to the University of Pennsylvania due to an unknown illness. We could never have imagined the challenges he would soon face. A fast-moving infection quickly took over his body, leading him into septic shock. In the days that followed, we learned just how serious his condition was. He suffered a stroke, went into organ failure, and, due to complications from sepsis, lost blood flow to all four limbs. We also discovered that the infection had attacked both of his heart valves, which would require open-heart surgery to repair.

Over the next few weeks, we waited and prayed he would be strong enough to come off the ventilator and undergo the heart surgery. If you know our dad, it’s no surprise that he did just that—he fought his way back and was finally ready for the operation. He came through the surgery, but unfortunately, due to the lack of blood flow to his limbs, he also had to undergo amputations, losing both legs below the knee and most of his fingers on both hands.

Despite all these obstacles and spending over four months in the hospital, he has never lost hope. Every day, he works tirelessly to overcome this illness. Our mom has been by his side through it all, caring for him day and night. She even reduced her work hours to part-time at her nursing job to have more time to support him.

We’re grateful that our dad was strong enough to move to Magee Rehab in Philadelphia, where he’s continuing his recovery. He’s working hard to learn to walk again with his new prosthetic legs and adjust to his new circumstances. His road to recovery will be long and filled with challenges, but he faces each day with courage and determination.

We’re hoping to raise funds to help ease the financial burden on our family. These funds will support the adaptive equipment, home and vehicle modifications, and ongoing care he’ll need to regain as much independence as possible. Our parents are the most selfless people we know, always giving and doing for others—now, it’s our turn to show up for them.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed, reached out, and offered support over these past months. We are truly blessed to have such incredible family and friends by our side.