Help Ricky Recover

Hello, my name is Katharine and I am fundraising for my partner Ricky Garrett.

On September 23, 2021, Ricky was severely burned while taking a shower at his home. I immediately took him to the emergency room as he was in poor shape and terrible pain - he described it as "the second worst pain [he had] ever been in." As Ricky almost never complains about anything, I took that to be quite serious. Ricky was transferred from the ER to the Bothins Burn Unit at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco that evening; he is currently being treated for large areas of mostly third degree burns covering about 25% of his body.

During transport to the burn unit, Ricky also tested positive for COVID, which has complicated his care plan and excluded all visitors for ten days.

Ricky owns a small business and has struggled to find medical insurance that is cost effective; at the time of this injury, Ricky did not have any medical insurance. Ricky has had to undergo one skin graft surgery since being admitted and will have another surgery this week. The cost of these surgeries plus ER treatment, ambulance transfer, and several weeks of in-patient hospital care is more than Ricky can manage alone.

For those who don't know Ricky, he is an incredibly kind, helpful, polite, talented, and hilarious individual who loves listening to records, playing drums, seeing live music, and spending time with friends and family. In the time I have known Ricky, I have seen him donate money and time to many causes, despite not always making much money himself.

Ricky is not the type to ask for assistance from others, particularly not financial assistance. He is a proud individual who has a strong work ethic and sense of accountability. However, Ricky needs help right now. Ricky has a difficult road to recovery and is hopeful that, in time, he will be able to work and play music again. Until then, he has hospital bills piling up and no paychecks coming in. We appreciate anything you can spare, anything. Ricky needs all the help he can get to heal during this difficult time.

Thank you for reading and for any donation you can manage.