Alvord Family Medical Bill Fund

Hello!

My name is Jason. I'd like to introduce you to our dedicated and hardworking family of two. My wife Jodi and I are lifelong Michigan residents that work a small hobby farm in Saginaw County.  We have worked hard for our little farm (something we have worked toward for years, and that finally came to fruition about a year ago). We scrimp and save where we can. We enjoy being creatively and resourcefully independent. We would much rather help others out then ask for assistance and help for ourselves, but we have reached a point where help is truly needed and would be very much appreciated.

2015 has been a tough year.  Our beloved greyhound, Zippy, passed away from cancer this summer. We had an accident here on the farm. All we ended up with was damage to the house, but it could have been much worse.  In July our newly purchased vehicle was totaled by a lady who rear-ended me at a stoplight, (thankfully, I only sustained cuts and bruises) leaving us with only a well-used compact car until November. Between all our trials and school tuition the bills kept on coming and never gave us a break.

Two weeks ago as Jodi and I were disassembling a corn silo, the roof of the silo inverted and collapsed. The bottom edge of the roof kicked out and threw me off the ladder. I fell 12 feet and shattered my heel bone. Well, as two surgeons have since informed me it is quite a serious and life changing injury to that bone; and it has also effected the integrity of that joint in my foot. I have had surgery; and they have, with the assistance of screws, plates, and a bone graft, put my foot back together again. I have been on complete bedrest since all of this happened and unable to go to my job until recently... but only part time.  I am told I can put no weight on the foot for at least 9 weeks. I am hopeful that I will be able to get around with the assistance of a scooter after my post-op appointment… we’ll have to see what the surgeon has to say.

This is bad enough but on top of that we have no health insurance, and the bills are mounting. The bills are estimated to be in the $30,000 range and while the hospital will give us a 30% discount on their services we are responsible for the rest.  All funds will go to paying the hospital bills, nothing else. We're in that income bracket that many Americans find themselves in, I think. We make too much to qualify for services that help out with medical expenses but not enough to afford good healthcare either.

I prefer to work for my money, but this injury has left me unable to do that for the first time in my life... also an eye-opening experience in itself.  Again, please know that anything you might give will be used to pay for medical expenses only.

I’m very thankful that I was not paralyzed or worse, and that my wife was not hurt. I’m also very thankful for the family and friends that have been so kind and have brought us meals and taken us to doctor appointments.

Thank you for reading my story and for any amount of money you choose to give we truly appreciate it!

In gratitude,

Jason and Jodi Alvord