EMPORIA, Kan. — An Emporia family is hoping for a miracle after three family members tested positive for COVID-19 and only two have recovered.
“Our biggest thing is, we want him off the ventilator so we can at least hear his voice and he can hear ours and we can talk to him," Chrysanne Peralta said.
Chrysanne Peralta told 41 Action News her husband, Gonzolo, has been on a ventilator since May 8.
Chrysanne said he was moved from a local hospital to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.
“He just couldn’t breath,” she said, “and I told him he looked like he was going to pass out.”
Gonzolo had been working at a local plant for more than 25 years and Chrysanne believes that's where he caught the virus.
Asymptomatic at first, Peralta told 41 Action News that Gonzolo spread coronavirus to herself and their son, Roberto.
Roberto is a healthy, 18-year-old athlete on a soccer scholarship at Neosho County Community College.
Chrysanne told 41 Action News she was worried after contracting the virus due to her underlying health issues, which include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Chrysanne and Gonzolo each worked two jobs to make ends meet. Both were furloughed due to the pandemic.
A family friend, Connie Lewis, startedraising money for the Peralta's.
“She wasn’t complaining about how she felt,” Lewis said. “She was more worried about her husband and son, so that tells you what type of person she is.”
Lewis told 41 Action News her initial goal was to raise $2,000 to help with expenses.
“I did not want her and Gonzolo, once he gets released, to worry about rushing back to work until he’s fully healed,” Lewis said, “and I know that he’s going to need some at-home care.”
As of Tuesday, the fundraiser had reached more than $18,000. Chrysanne said the money will help with living expenses, as well as Gonzolo’s medical bills.
While Gonzolo remains in the hospital and on a ventilator, Chrysanne said his nurses have relayed that he is progressing slowly.
“Right now, she’s like, ‘I’m very proud of him and I’m very proud of his progress,’" Chrysanne said.
