Hello everyone! Let’s talk about a heart-pounding story that shows just how unpredictable life can be. Joey Ricciardella, an animal-loving dad from Torrington, Connecticut, had a terrifying encounter with a venomous snake that nearly cost him his life.
Imagine this: you’re driving home after dropping off your daughter and you spot something in the middle of the road. For Joey, that something turned out to be a Timber rattlesnake!
Joey’s love for animals is well-known among his friends and family. So, without thinking twice, he stopped his car, grabbed a shirt from the backseat, and tried to help the snake.
Now, most of us would probably just steer clear, but Joey has a soft spot for all creatures, big and small. Unfortunately, this time, his good intentions took a dangerous turn. When he tried to move the snake, it bit him on the hand, injecting venom that quickly started to affect his body.
Folks, it wasn’t just a small nip. The venom soon made it hard for Joey to talk and even breathe. Brittany Hilmeyer, Joey’s ex-partner and the mother of his four-year-old daughter, initially thought he was joking when he called her. But when his speech became garbled, she realized something was seriously wrong. Can you imagine trying to talk to someone and it sounds like their mouth is full of marbles? That’s how bad it got.
Joey somehow managed to get back to his car and drove himself to the nearest hospital, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. But the situation was dire. His respiratory system was shutting down, and he went into cardiac arrest. The hospital didn’t have enough anti-venom on hand, so Joey had to be transferred to Hartford Hospital, where they flew in more anti-venom to save him.
Connecticut is home to only two venomous snake species: the Northern Copperhead and the Timber rattlesnake. The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection advises people to observe these snakes from a distance and back away slowly if they encounter them.
Joey’s story is a stark reminder of why that advice exists. Despite the odds, Joey is now on the mend, though he’s not out of the woods yet. He’s in the Intensive Care Unit, facing a long recovery due to the venom and an allergic reaction that put him in a medically induced coma.
An online fundraiser has been set up to help with his mounting medical bills. Joey, a self-employed landscaper with no insurance, has four children, three of whom are under 16. His family and friends are rallying around him, hoping for a full recovery.
Joey Ricciardella’s story is a testament to his bravery and kind heart. While it’s a miracle that he’s recovering, it’s also a cautionary tale about the risks that come with interacting with wild animals. We’re all wishing Joey a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on his feet soon, continuing his animal-loving ways—hopefully with a bit more caution next time!
