‘A Life-or-Death Surgery’: GoFundMe Launched for Paralysed Teen

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for 16-year-old Orell Reyes, the Pomona footballer paralysed from the waist down after a shooting earlier this month shortly after leaving football practice.

The fundraiser was launched to help cover the mounting costs of specialised treatment in Merida, Mexico, where doctors were expected to evaluate the possibility of removing the bullet still lodged in Reyes’ spine.

However, his mother, Kimberly Estero, told News 5 today that new medical advice is raising fears that the surgery his family hoped would help him walk again could make things worse. According to Estero, two different specialists described the operation as a high-risk and life-or-death surgery.

“I don’t want to proceed with the surgery. If the two doctors are saying the same thing, I am really scared to do so,” Estero added.

Despite her hesitance in proceeding with the surgery, Estero says any funds contributed to her family are greatly appreciated since she is now unable to work and remains at her son’s bedside full time. The GoFundMe campaign, she says, would help sustain the family during this period.

“I would like any help, because there are things that I cannot afford again,” she added.

Estero’s employer, Whitney Greenen, created the fundraiser on behalf of the family. Greenen described Orell as “a kind, respectful young man with a bright future ahead of him,” with the greatest wish of wanting to walk again.

“No 16-year-old should lose the chance to run, play football, pursue an education, or build the future he imagined because of a senseless act of violence,” Greenen said on the GoFundMe page.

Anyone who would like to contribute to Reyes’ GoFundMe can do so here.