Gisela was an active vibrant woman, adored by her allergy patients at Kaiser Permanente. Known as the most gentle allergy technician, patients insisted Gisela be the one to administer their treatments.
Gisela was deeply in love with Eraldo, her companion of seventeen years. They traveled the world together until his death in 2007. Gisela moved back into her San Jose home where she raised her two children. Gisela’s son completely updated the home, and the two shared the home comfortably for several years.
Gisela’s idyllic life became a nightmare in 2010. While at Kaiser Hospital recuperating from an injury, Adult Protective Services (APS) took control of Gisela’s life. The Santa Clara County Public Guardian (PG) was appointed conservator on April 4, 2010.
The PG imprisoned and isolated Gisela at Villa Fontana, a San Jose residential care facility that turns a blind eye to elder abuse and neglect. For over two years, Gisela has been denied nearly all contact with the outside world. The PG and Villa Fontana denied Gisela some of her most basic personal rights and dignity.
Sobbing about missing her children, Gisela told an unauthorized visitor in April 2012, “I pray every night for God to take me”. Gisela’s world is dark, silent, and very lonely.