LAKEPORT >> Every day at 6 p.m. after working in the fields, Rodolfo Arias would take a walk around his neighborhood in Lakeport with his two daughters Monserrat, 16, and Sofia, 6. Sometimes Aria’s wife Vicky would join along with their son Rodolfo Jr. and Sofia’s twin sister Suleyma.
It became a family tradition. Walks were filled with laughter, innocent questions about life, and a myriad amount of hand waves from neighbors. The Arias family was well known, and they were about to be even more known.
The father of four was a long-time farm worker in Lake County and most recently, a very busy handyman. He often took shifts as early as 4 a.m. in the fields and took side gigs to make an extra buck to provide for his family. Whether he switched from a baseball cap in the fields to a hard hat working on a project, or from job title to another, he knew his number one job was to get home as soon as possible to help his wife with the children, particularly the walk with his two daughters. That’s because Monserrat has a disability with severe and frequent seizures, and Sofia suffers from autism.
Because of their conditions, both daughters require full-time assistance and often spend their days indoors. Despite that, going out with the family, even just briefly, was something they looked forward to. Arias often took his daughters in strollers where he would take one and Vicky the other — it facilitated their walks by far. Their situation was a handful, but they felt they had enough hands to keep the family afloat.
It wasn’t until the night of July 13 when Vicky felt the most helpless. Her husband passed away that night after losing a battle to a liver metastasis. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, liver metastases, also known as secondary liver cancer, are “cancerous tumors that spread. Most liver metastases start as cancer in the colon or rectum. Up to 70 percent of people with colorectal cancer eventually develop liver metastases.”
Arias was diagnosed as late as April and was not thoroughly explained the level of his cancer.
Today, Vicky has Sofia, who is nonverbal, tugging at her shirt or keys that hang near their kitchen every day around the later afternoon hours. She knows the usual time of day they would usually go out on their walks, but that has become a nearly impossible activity without their father.
“His passing has affected us all in many ways,” Vicky said in Spanish. “Even our neighbors because they relied heavily on him to fix things in their homes. So did I, and now I’m trying to learn all the things he once did.”
Community organizer and recent recipient of Congressman Mike Thompson’s Fifth Congressional American Dream Award Luisa Acosta quickly learned what “all” meant to Vicky. As she and the Acosta family attend the same church and after hearing about the family’s recent situation, she decided to stop by their home before the service.
“I didn’t realize how hard it was to have a disabled child,” said Acosta. “And well, this family has two. Something as simple as going to church has now become one of the hardest tasks for them.” She said the moment she entered the home and saw Vicky spoon feeding both Monserrat and Sofia while the other two children helped ready the strollers and medication was a heartbreaking scene to watch.
“It’s been challenging. He (Rodolfo) was my right hand,” Vicky added.
After Arias’ passing, the family has all had to up their responsibilities and roles. Rodolfo Jr. of just 12 years of age promised his father on his deathbed that he would take care of the family. He and Suleyma know exactly what to do when either of their sisters — sometimes both at the same time — have seizures.
Even when their mother isn’t doing too well either. Most recently, Vicky was sent to the hospital to treat a nervous breakdown that affected her spine after undergoing severe stress when Monserrat had a long-lasting seizure and Sofia had breathing difficulties. Rodolfo Jr. was there to care for Suleyma.
“I found Rodolfo Jr. crying under his bed once because he was so stressed out with everything,” said Acosta. “Children should not have to undergo this and neither does anyone in this or any family. I don’t know how they’ve been doing this for so long.”
But the Aria family has not been alone since the father’s passing. According to Acosta and residents of the trailer park where the family’s mobile home resides, the Aria’s have had people in the residence helping every day for the past three weeks.
“I have never seen a community come together like this before,” said the community organizer.
From helping them wash the dishes, to raising funds from several fundraisers, the family has seen many extend their hands to help the widowed mother of four. But there’s one thing Vicky has requested the most: prayers.
“We’ve been so blessed,” said Vicky. “I ‘ve never seen so many people from different backgrounds and religions come out to help.” She saw how English and Spanish speakers, Christians, Mormons, and Catholics all gathered under her roof to help cook, pray, and offer their company. Vicky also shared how two young men of religious faith have prayed and sung in the household on various occasions and have helped her take the girls on their highly requested walks.
Businesses have also joined in to help. Local restaurants like La Mexicana, Fiesta Market, and La Monarca have provided an abundance of food for the family and for fundraisers. Organizations like the Migrant Headstart have also aided the family.
Vicky said she does not know how to repay for all that has been done for her family. “Thanks to our neighbors, community, and especially Luisa and those behind her, we are afloat.”
Acosta’s quick and steady skill at organizing has resulted in successful fundraisers to gather funds to send Aria’s body to Mexico. Another fundraiser is scheduled this weekend in an effort to kickstart a college fund for Rodolfo Jr.
“It was the father’s dream to have his son go to college. He wants to be an engineer,” said Acosta.
In addition, Acosta has reached out to a congressman to help two of Vicky’s sisters receive humanitarian visas to help around the home.
“Despite the Latino community under attack by most of our current government administration, they are a perfect example that breaks away from Latino stereotypes. Even when Rodolfo was here and now, they have never wanted to be a burden. They’re hard working, honest, and very humble,” said Acosta.
The alcohol-free fundraiser will take place at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 22. There will also be a silent auction and businesses are encouraged to make donations. For more information on the fundraiser and to donate for the silent auction call 707-890-2525.
