US Citizen in Costa Rica Needs Help After Leg Amputation

One night in April 2023, I went out to dinner and noticed a pain in my left foot. I did not think much about it as I had recently experienced some some foot pain, mostly in my (other) right foot. But I AM 65 years young, so I just thought it was part of the aging process.

In the morning I noticed some blood on the floor between my bed and the bathroom. I then discovered that I had picked up a small tack in my shoe and that is what pricked me.

An aggressive infection quickly set in and we hired a private doctor who administered some sort of intravenous antibiotic daily but it only got worse quickly.

Long story short, I passed out and woke up in the hospital with my left leg (and my hair) cut off above the knee and I was tied to a bed night and day.

I begged to see a doctor and/or to get transferred or released, but was repeatedly told it was not possible. I begged everyone for help to get me out. Finally a female doctor, who was attending a patient in the bed next to me, told me that she would help and two days later they told me that I was getting out. Three days later, I was finally released.

I was finally released after 44 days of horrible treatment, tied to a bed, given almost no food etc. My two wonderful sons picked me up, wheeled me out and took me home. If you want to hear more, or share your similar stories, send me a message.

I never realized how bad the flesh eating wound was until I was shown a photo ((see photo for the original flesh eating wound taken in Heredia Hospital).)

We have successfully treated the wound with manuka honey, aloe vera and iodine and it almost now totally healed.

I have alwaysbeen very active, I played basketball raced motorcycles in my teens. In my twenties, completed the Basic Rock-Climbing training at Estes Park, Co. in the summer of 1975 and climbed Longs Peak and Mount Lady Washington and others.

I taught yoga for more than 12 years and was a student of Ayurveda medicine. I received my Yoga teacher training certificate at Mount Madonna Center, in Watsonville, Ca. I was a student of Baba Hari Dass and taught Yoga Teacher;s Training at Mount Madonna Center as well.

I taught Electronics Technology and robotics in the California Community College System for many years and have a lifetime teaching credential from the State of California. This included College of San Mateo, Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz, Condie College, and Hartnell College where I was the Department Chairman in Electronics at age 25.

I am trying to raise enough money to get a prosthetic leg with used parts, a used car with an automatic transmission and money for physical therapy

I am hoping to raise about $ 10,000 immefiately, $5,000 for the leg and therapy and $5,000 for a used car with an automatic transmission.

My friends and family have been wonderful and supportive. My brother John and his wife were the first to offer to contribute (offline) and have been very encouraging and supportive.

I have never asked for charity or help and it is not easy to do so now. But, the costs have wiped out our savings and I am ready to walk again. I have worked hard to get physically ready and the prosthetic leg is ready and I need to pay and get fitted before the end of October.

DONATIONS are through PayPal (or SINPE Money Gram etc. contact me) and can be from $1 up and can be anonymous or provide as much information about yourself as you wish.

Thank you for your support.

Ronnie

Saturday, October 21, 2023