First Things

Scott was in an off-road accident this weekend that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Early reports are that he will not walk again. He also has a broken collar bone. He is in a hospital near Bakersfield at the moment, but is likely to be moved to a facility nearer his home sometime this week. He's in a body cast up to his chest.

He was scheduled for surgery to fuse the discs in his back so that he could be transported, but that surgery was postponed until tomorrow morning.

Scott is married to Wendy and has grade two school-aged sons, Christian and Caiden.

There are some immediate needs that you all can help with. My wife is going to make about a month worth of dinners for Wendy and the kids at Dream Dinners tonight. The cost will be about $240 total. If you'd like to contribute $5-10, please send a check to:

Paul Palomino
5 Colony Way
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

My wife is a CPA and will be maintaining a full accounting of any receipts and expenditures. I am researching the possibility of creating a charitable organization so that future financial assistance to the Ortiz family would be tax-deductible to the donors. I would like to have at least one poker tournament to benefit them. I will also look into organizing a golf outing/benefit. If anyone is familiar with how best to do these things, please contact me at paulpalomino@cox.net.

I will report on this blog when I have updates that the family gives me permission to share. I will try to keep this blog updated until Scott is well enough to take it over himself if he wants to. Please check back regularly. Thank you.