The story of us……..

My husband and I♥️

My husband and I.

Our daughters

Our three girls ♥️

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read our story. I am the mother of Michele.

Our healthcare hero who is in need of help. ♥️

Our daughter Michele has had some bad luck with her health this year and has been unable to work due to a major reconstructive leg surgery. She is a single mom who has always worked to take care of her children. She couldn't count on child support because it was always hit and miss. She always put her children first making sure that they had everything that they needed (food, clothing, a roof over their heads) and tried to give them some of the things that they wanted. While raising her children, tried to take of herself but many times she would just deal with whatever came her way and kept on working. For over a year, she had been experiencing pain in her right knee but just continued to work. She started staying with us while her son was away at the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy. Within the first three months of this year, she started noticing her knee pain was becoming an everyday thing. She would complain of pain and severe discomfort. We encouraged her to take care of her health issues while she was staying with us and that we would help her. She went to see an orthopedic doctor who immediately ordered x-rays and then an MRI. The problem wasn't just her knee but her lower leg as well. Her tibia bone had grown outward and was causing her kneecap to move out of place and it did not allow the femur bone to be in its correct position and caused the bone to wear away in some areas. The surgery was more involved than the doctor originally thought it would be. The tibia bone needed to be sawed and screwed into place as did the kneecap and a bone graft had to be done on the femur bone. The ligaments and tendons had also been damaged and needed repair. The doctor told us that her recovery time would be longer than he originally thought and also that she would need more medical equipment than a knee brace and crutches. He urged Michele to have the surgery as soon as possible because if she waits until she's older, the surgery may not be as successful, and she may have difficulty walking and may require a walker or cane. Although Michele has medical insurance, she still had to pay copays for pre- and post-op appointments, prescriptions and most of her medical equipment that the insurance company didn't think was necessary. And to make matters worse, because she wasn't walking correctly with her right leg, the left knee has been damaged. She will need corrective surgery on her left knee after she recovers from the right leg surgery. Michele has used most of her savings on her medical expenses and will not be able to work until next year. A friend suggested that she start a GoFundMe account to help her pay for her medical bills and equipment, medications, physical therapy sessions that she will be needed for several months as well as transportation at times. This will financially help with her transition and recovery. Expenses for essentials and other medical appointments. She has had to pay for the majority of expenses out of pocket which is dwindling. Myself and my husband are on a fixed income. We are retired and are doing our best to help and assist her during this difficult time. My husband and I have have limited mobility ourselves. Donations will help with uber or Lyft for appointments if necessary. Michele and our grandson, Michael are now living with us. Michele has had to move and sold many of her belongings to help pay her expenses but it's not enough. Michael just graduated from high school and started working so that he can help out too.

But before I end the story portion of the GoFundMe account, I wanted to tell you a little about Michele. Michele has a big heart and she's always ready to give to others and help others. When she was just a little girl (maybe 5 years old), our family was preparing to leave for the birthday party of a family friend's child. Michele had one of her toys in her arms and I told her that she should leave her toy at home. She said that the toy was a birthday present that she was going to give to the birthday child. I have been with her a few times when she saw someone in the street and decided that she was going to help them. One time we had just left Walmart, and she saw a man walking down the street. He was wearing a light jacket, and this was the middle of January, a cold winter day. She told me to take her back to Walmart because she said she had seen winter coats on clearance and wanted to buy the man a winter coat. I took her back to Walmart where she bought the coat. We then went looking for the man and we found him still walking. She gave him the coat to help him stay warm. She has done the same with buying food for homeless people that she sees in the street. She does this even though she herself has never had a lot of money. I went shopping with her when she wanted to buy clothes for an elderly resident that lived at the facility where she worked. The woman had gained weight and the clothes she had weren't fitting her anymore. Michele used her own money and expected nothing from the resident. She did the same when she worked at a drug rehab center in Madison. She would buy clothing or maybe bring them special treats for them to eat. Michele would give her last penny to help those in need. I hope that after reading our GoFundMe story you will find it in your heart to help Michele with a donation. Any amount would be helpful.

Thank you and may God bless.♥️

My big beautiful family ♥️

My Michele

My Michele and I

My Michele and I♥️

My son in law, my husband and our grandson ♥️

Our grandson and daughter♥️

Our daughters♥️

Father and daughter♥️