Our son, Joseph (Joey) Seco, was born and raised in Miami, Florida. On July 6, 2006, my wife and I received the phone call every parent fears; Joey was involved in an accident and was being air lifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Trauma Center. After endless hours, our world was turned upside down when the neurosurgeon finally met with us. Joey had suffered a fractured C7 (cervical), T3 & 4 (thoracic) vertebrae, lacerated spleen, fractured scapula and clavicle. In addition, his lungs and heart were badly bruised. Joseph was diagnosed as a quadriplegic.
Due to his lung and heart condition, surgery was not possible for five weeks. During this time in the intensive care unit, Joseph suffered a number of complications causing the loss of 55 lbs., most of it muscle tissue. Finally, the day of surgery came and after a ten hour surgical procedure, where the cervical and thoracic vertebrae were replaced, Joseph was suited with a neck and torso brace to prevent sudden movements and allow his body to heal. He spent the next 3 months hospitalized.
Joseph continues to experience a number of different therapies; including physical, acupuncture, electrical muscle stimulation and hyperbaric treatments. Although sometimes physically and emotionally exhausting, Joseph’s determination, strong faith in God and support from family and friends propels Joseph to continue pressing on until he is able to one day walk again.
Unfortunately, my wife and I have also been forced to face the reality of Joseph’s medical expenses, special equipment needs and above-mentioned therapies, exceeding tens of thousands of dollars which of-course, are not covered by the insurance company and are essential to his recovery. Therefore, we have contacted HelpHOPELive which is a highly regarded non-profit organization with tenure of more than thirty years in the area of organ and tissue transplant and since 2000, with spinal cord injury patients.
As many of you know, last February 2013 George and Joey traveled to Panama to undergo stem cell treatment. Following his treatment Joey stayed In Orlando and underwent intense physical therapy at a state of the art spinal cord rehab center. With God, our family and friends support, we believe in our son’s complete healing and recovery from his injuries. The slogan for this fund raising campaign is “GO JOE”.
Please join us in believing for Joey’s recovery. Your tax deductible contribution will help Joey achieve this until the day we can all rejoice again and say as one…”GO JOE”
Our next milestones:
· 2nd stem cell transplant treatment: $48,000.00. Studies have demonstrated that patients undergoing this treatment have rendered improvement; such as the regaining the ability to feel hot and cold temperatures, sensation throughout the extremities, and most importantly movement of the affected areas. Unfortunately, the FDA has not approved this treatment in the USA. See his video and be amazed at how far we have come.
· Return to Orlando for a second one month long stay at the rehab center for intense physical therapy: $6,000.00.
· Therapies – Acupuncture, Hyperbaric Chamber and Electrical Stimulation $1,650.00 per month.
Our sincere gratitude for your donations. We could not have done this without your generosity.
Thank you
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Update – June 2013
As of today, Joseph has regained most of the lost body weight and muscle mass in his upper body. Although we were told by the doctors that he would not regain the use of his arms or hands, Joseph has full range of motion in his arms and his right hand function has improved significantly. He has now begun to move some toes and has regained sensation on his right side of his body. Joseph is now continuing his collegiate studies and maintains his daily therapies.
We believe that God, the Stem Cell transplant and the physical therapy have tremendously improved his condition and improve in his recovery.
Joseph’s Mom and Dad
George & Lupe Seco
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Joseph has chosen to fund-raise with HelpHOPELive in part because HelpHOPELive provides both tax-deductibility and fiscal accountability to his contributors. Contributors can be sure that funds contributed will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses.
To make a credit card contribution to Joey’s fundraising campaign, call 800-642-8399 or select the DONATE NOW button.
Or:
Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive
Note in memo section:
In honor of Joey Seco
Mail to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19083
For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800-642-8399.
Thanks for your support!
