ALBERTINI-ESTIGARRIVIA FAMILY
NEWS & UPDATE – MAY, 2010:
After more than 30 days as a critical patient on a ventilator, and 40 days in the Grossman Burn Center, Jose Albertini was finally released from the hospital, and is slowly but MIRACULOUSLY working his way towards recovery. LAFD Ofiicial Blog
To the countless, generous incredibly kind and compassionate friends and strangers who continue to help this family in need, Friends of Luna is beyond-thrilled to be able to offer Maria's, Luna's, and Jose's inexpressible thanks for all that's been done for them during this time of crisis--in Maria's own moving words, straight from her heart.
MESSAGE FROM MARIA:
Dear Community,
I just wanted to thank you once again for all the abundance of help, love, prayers, meditations and donations of all kind that have been offered to our family during this hard time.
We are so happy to give you the good news....... Jose chose life!!!! he is out of the hospital, doing his recovery at his sister Mayra's home in Santa Clarita. He is doing well and he is so thankful to all of you for taking care of all of us. We have visited him a few times and spent the night there.... every time we see him, he is doing much better.
All this love and care we have from all of you, friends and neighbors from Meier st. had been so healing and powerful. It has been an incredible opportunity for all of us to open our hearts, to give and to receive, to remember that we are not alone, to understand that it takes a village.....
so much gratitude and love,
Maria, Jose & Luna
The Albertini Estigarrivia Family
PS. Sometimes it feels unreal..... but it did happen. And even though it will take time to recover from all this... we had have the blessing to experience what love and compassion is, even from people we hardly know. Thank you for being part of our healing and transformation.
PSS: What a lesson!
And to all those who keep asking what more they can do... here's are a few of the most immediate needs.
MEALS:
Since Maria and Luna are still staying in a studio with no kitchen facilities, the daily delivery of meals has been essential and completely appreciated. The Westside Waldorf community has rallied to make sure that delicious and nutritious VEGETARIAN lunches are prepared for Luna each day through the end of the school year, but we still need help with finding people who can prepare daily dinners to be delivered. A very dedicated Westside Waldorf mom has been coordinating the "Meals for Luna & Maria" effort for more than two months now, and has the whole thing down to a finely-tuned and beautifully working system--she simply needs more people to cook these meals. So, if you're able to help out with this important healing task, please contact: meals@friendsofluna.com
Here are a few guidelines for food prep for Maria and Luna: It is very important for the containers you send the food in to be disposable or recyclable so there is no clean up. Nothing will be returned, everything will be put in the city trash/recycle bins. They have no kitchen, just a refrigerator and microwave. The simplicity of this has worked well as Maria is supposed to be off her foot, doctor's orders, while it heals.
The Albertini Family eats a vegetarian diet. They eat egg, have been asked by their doctors to limit their intake of dairy, but are encouraged to eat legumes with brown rice, tofu, nuts, and nut butters.
The Doctor needs Maria and Luna to eat a high protein diet with lots of leafy greens each day. Here is a great site to get recipes that use lots of green vegetables: Cookbook
Here is a site for vegetarian main dishes if you need ideas: Click Now
"Food, like a loving touch or a glimpse of divine power, has that ability to comfort." Norman Kolpas
And, as we've been learning through this experience, food also has the power to heal.
Friends of Luna thanks you for helping to nourish the Estigarrivia Albertini family, body and soul.
MEDICAL EXPENSES:
As we can all appreciate, in the wake of Jose's release from the hospital, out-patient treatments are still needed for his recovery, many that are not covered by insurance. And, medical bills (some of which are also not covered) are mounting; therefore any and all continuing monetary donations are, of course, HUGELY appreciated.
HOUSING:
Any leads on FREE or low-cost housing for the family are also GREATLY APPRECIATED email: housing@friendsofluna.com
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Early morning on February 23rd, as the family slept, the Mar Vista home of Jose Albertini, Maria Estigarrivia and Luna Albertini was engulfed in flames, destroying everything in it. Thirty-eight members of the LAFD arrived within minutes to try and extinguish the raging flames. (See LAFD Official Blog here) After undergoing surgery and treatment for their burns and respiratory issues, Maria and Luna are recovering, but Jose remains listed in critical condition due to damage to his lungs from severe smoke inhalation. Maria and Luna were discharged on Feb 28th from the hospital, but all three still face a long and arduous road to recovery.
However, with the release of Maria and Luna, the reality of their extremely-challenging circumstances is, understandably, hitting them hard. With all of our help they will find a way. Here are some ways to help:
DONATIONS:
A family trust account has been established for the family. Jose, Maria and Luna are the sole beneficiaries.
Donations by Check:
Checks should be made payable to The Estigarrivia Albertini Family Trust
Mail to:
John P Ziaukas, Attorney at Law,
12011 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 530,
Los Angeles, California 90049
Online Donations:
Click on the “donate” button below to pay by debit/credit card or direct bank withdrawal through PayPal
Enter donate@friendsofluna.com as the destination email address for your contribution, which will be directly deposited into the family’s trust account.