A Vet/Father/Coach's Fight To Walk

Please find it in you heart to share the story of a Veteran who was not given the proper care. Shaheed is a Army Vet who served the military proudly, he hurt his back during his term and stayed in the Army until he was honorable discharge. Shaheed is no stranger to helping his community and most know him as Coach Shaheed. He has been coaching and mentoring young men on the Eleanor Roosevelt High School football and track teams. He is easily identified and affectionately referred to as the loudest, most enthusiastic and passionate person on the field. Coach Shaheed takes his involvement with these young men very seriously and is committed and dedicated to coaching both football and character. While coaching is one of his great loves, his greatest love is for his family: his wife Jennifer, six children, grandchildren, mother and entire family. Coach Shaheed recently underwent serious spinal surgery because a mass that was formed formed over the years and has been determined that this mass is 100% service related. Coach Shaheed has been fighting to get the proper treatment from the VA. During the surgery the surgeon realized cancer had formed inside the plasma mass which was crushing his spine.  Coach Shaheed not only has to learn how to (hopefully) walk again he will also now have to under go radiation and years of testing  for plasmacytoma, the testing is to ensure that he plasmacytoma does not form into multiple myeloma . All of this will require several weeks in the hospital followed my extensive rehabilitation with some in home assistance. These necessities carry a very high cost, the first cost is to help the family move into a home that will be accommodating for a wheelchair and then transportation that will allow for easy transport to  and from outpatient care and radiation.  Your help and support will tremendously bless the Thomas family during their time of need, every gift helps, no amount is too small. Thank you for reading about our dear friend, father, coach and Veteran and thank you for your support!!