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Hello friends, family, or anyone in between:
My name is Michael Roscoe. I am a first-grade teacher in Hayward, CA. I volunteer after school, I coach the school soccer team for free and tutor students in my community. I willingly give my time and effort to my school, and there is nothing else I would rather be doing.
A few weeks ago, while playing pick-up soccer with some friends (so not work related), I was hit in the eye by a passing elbow. At the time, I thought nothing of it. I've been hit in the face and head dozens of times while playing soccer, it's just part of the game. However, this time was not like the rest. I noticed a couple of days later that my vision was blurry in my right eye. I thought I had just slept on it wrong, and didn't even connect it to the injury. A couple days later, I started noticing a darkening in my vision, in addition to the blur. Again, I hoped it would go away on its own, and continued grading assessments, and finishing up end-of-the-year report cards.
By the time I made it to an ophthalmologist, he informed me that I had 5 retinal tears, and would already experience an unknown degree of permanent vision loss in my right eye. He referred me to a retinal specialist, who conducted a series of tests which confirmed the retinal tears, and told me I needed surgery immediately if I was to avoid permanent and complete vision loss in my right eye. He continued to explain that the operation would more than likely max out my insurance deductible of $5,800 (I have private insurance, my district's health plan is around $850 a month). I'm hoping the less invasive procedure he told me about works because the alternative is putting a silicon band around my eye, which costs around $20,000.
I have already used up my monthly paychecks paying for the multiple office visits, dozens of tests, and a trip to the ER, and have even had to dip into my Savings account, which I created to buy an engagement ring for my fiance-to-be, who has always been incredibly supportive and patient, and is, in fact, the reason I even know about GoFundMe.
If you know me, you know I am never one to burden others, or solicit unneeded help/charity. But due to the necessary immediacy of the procedure, I have a tentative surgery date on Tuesday, June 28th. Not only that, but according to the retinal specialist, 90% of hospitals do not offer payment plans, so if I can't provide the required funds by the time the bill hits me, I will be in a very bad place.
Any help you can provide would be incredibly appreciated, not only for helping me pay for a much-needed operation, but for helping me save vision in my right eye. This then allows me to better help the students I teach and coach. By helping me have this operation, you are essentially giving me the gift of depth perception, which is always a useful tool in life =)
Thank you SO much to anyone who can lend a hand directly. If you can't help directly (believe me, I understand funds being tight, I'm a teacher), I would also greatly appreciate helping me spread the word by telling people who might be able to help.
My name is Michael Roscoe. I am a first-grade teacher in Hayward, CA. I volunteer after school, I coach the school soccer team for free and tutor students in my community. I willingly give my time and effort to my school, and there is nothing else I would rather be doing.
A few weeks ago, while playing pick-up soccer with some friends (so not work related), I was hit in the eye by a passing elbow. At the time, I thought nothing of it. I've been hit in the face and head dozens of times while playing soccer, it's just part of the game. However, this time was not like the rest. I noticed a couple of days later that my vision was blurry in my right eye. I thought I had just slept on it wrong, and didn't even connect it to the injury. A couple days later, I started noticing a darkening in my vision, in addition to the blur. Again, I hoped it would go away on its own, and continued grading assessments, and finishing up end-of-the-year report cards.
By the time I made it to an ophthalmologist, he informed me that I had 5 retinal tears, and would already experience an unknown degree of permanent vision loss in my right eye. He referred me to a retinal specialist, who conducted a series of tests which confirmed the retinal tears, and told me I needed surgery immediately if I was to avoid permanent and complete vision loss in my right eye. He continued to explain that the operation would more than likely max out my insurance deductible of $5,800 (I have private insurance, my district's health plan is around $850 a month). I'm hoping the less invasive procedure he told me about works because the alternative is putting a silicon band around my eye, which costs around $20,000.
I have already used up my monthly paychecks paying for the multiple office visits, dozens of tests, and a trip to the ER, and have even had to dip into my Savings account, which I created to buy an engagement ring for my fiance-to-be, who has always been incredibly supportive and patient, and is, in fact, the reason I even know about GoFundMe.
If you know me, you know I am never one to burden others, or solicit unneeded help/charity. But due to the necessary immediacy of the procedure, I have a tentative surgery date on Tuesday, June 28th. Not only that, but according to the retinal specialist, 90% of hospitals do not offer payment plans, so if I can't provide the required funds by the time the bill hits me, I will be in a very bad place.
Any help you can provide would be incredibly appreciated, not only for helping me pay for a much-needed operation, but for helping me save vision in my right eye. This then allows me to better help the students I teach and coach. By helping me have this operation, you are essentially giving me the gift of depth perception, which is always a useful tool in life =)
Thank you SO much to anyone who can lend a hand directly. If you can't help directly (believe me, I understand funds being tight, I'm a teacher), I would also greatly appreciate helping me spread the word by telling people who might be able to help.