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Sept. 30 fundraiser to help Aponte family; youngest child recovering from brain surgery
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A fundraiser this weekend aims to help a Lakeport family whose youngest child is recovery from surgery to address diseases of the brain.
On Sunday, Sept. 30, a fundraiser for the Aponte family will take place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Smoley Oaks, 999 Whalen Way, Lakeport.
Gabriel and Angelene Aponte’s youngest son, Isaiah, has been diagnosed with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and Chairi Malformation Type One.
Gabe Aponte thought he had seen it all and was prepared for anything life could throw at him.
As a Marine serving in Iraq, Sgt. Aponte was involved in some of the most ferocious fighting of the war, with many men in his unit being casualties.
Aponte returned to Lakeport safely and is now serving as an officer with the Ukiah Police Department, but even now, years later, sometimes when he gets a whiff of burned diesel, it reminds him of battle.
But none of these experiences prepared him for what he was faced with earlier this year.
His wife told him she found 7-month-old Isaiah, the youngest of their four children, paralyzed. They rushed him to the hospital, where it was determined Isaiah suffered from Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, an immune mediated disease of the brain.
While treating this condition, and after many tests and trips to specialists, doctors discovered another, more serious condition: Isaiah was diagnosed with Chairi Malformation Type One, a rare condition where the brain grows into the protective sac protecting the brain stem, putting pressure on its connection to the spinal chord. The results are loss of motor skills, paralysis and, in some cases, death.
The doctors could do only so much, but they were able to help Isaiah regain some movement ability to his limbs, but it was limited. Only a life-threatening surgery could offer any hope of recovery and a normal life. The Apontes were facing the worst crisis of their lives.
“When I was fighting in Iraq, I had come to terms with the fact that I might be hurt or even killed,” Aponte recalled. “We all did. We were Marines. We had the skill and confidence to accomplish anything we set out to do. But none of that prepared me for this. I never felt so powerless, so helpless.”
The Apontes agreed that surgery was the best option. The operation would entail opening the back of the skull and working around the brain stem and the brain in an attempt to permanently relieve the pressure off the brain stem in a quest to give Isaiah a full and normal life.
The risks were enormous. The slightest twitch of a hand, a slight bump, a mild hiccup could cause permanent paralysis or worse. But the Apontes had some of the best doctors on the case and they proceeded.
On August 28, several pre-operation trips to the doctors in the Bay Area later, it was time for the operation.
“The worst feeling I ever had was handing him over to the nurse to take him in to get prepared for surgery,” Aponte recalled. “We both put our best faces on to make Isaiah feel all would be ok, but as he disappeared into the surgery wing, we both went to pieces. We are both Christians, but we never prayed like we prayed that day.”
After several hours of anxious waiting, the doctors came to tell the Aponte’ that the surgery was as successful as they could hope for, and barring any post-op complications, Isaiah would be OK. Several weeks later, he is well on his way to what should be a full recovery.
Being employed by the Ukiah Police Department, Aponte had good insurance coverage that took care of most costs related to the surgery. But with multiple trips to doctors and hospitals over many months, the accumulated costs of travel, overnight stays and time off work began to add up, putting a major strain on the household budget.
But family, friends, and church began to mobilize to help out. “We were blessed not only to have Isaiah come through this well, but to be part of such a loving and generous community,” Aponte said. “The outpourings of support and assistance has been overwhelming. We feel like we are the most loved and blessed people on earth.”
A group of friends will be hosting the Sunday benefit which, in addition to the barbecue, will offer swimming, bacci, horseshoes and a variety of other activities.
The suggested donation is $20 for adults, $10 for ages 12-18, and kids under 12, free.
All proceeds will go to the Aponte family.
For more information or to make a donation, contact Phil Smoley at 707-264-4905 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .