Hi — my name is Lisa Monde and I urgently need your help for my dear friend, Taylor, a U.S. Army veteran who served as a medic with the 101st Airborne. While rappelling out of helicopters, Taylor developed a severe hernia that was repaired with a Gore-Tex mesh implant more than 30 years ago. He is now facing serious, urgent complications and needs support staying safe while actively working to reach the right care.

The implant has been associated with PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), otherwise known as "forever chemicals" which are linked to many adverse health effects. Long-term, high-level exposure is associated with an increased risk of kidney and testicular cancers, and thyroid disease. More info here: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/about/health-effects.html

Recent lab results show elevated PFAS levels, adding urgency to his specialist evaluations and treatment planning.

To further complicate matters, Taylor is currently unhoused. This makes getting correspondence and traveling to VA appointments quite difficult.

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“When I tried to research other soldiers who had received the same implant decades ago, I couldn’t find reassuring outcomes — and that deeply unsettled me.” – Taylor

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How Did We Get Here?

Just a few years ago Taylor was living in a high-end work/live loft in San Diego. He had reliable transportation, insurance, and a very successful acupuncture business. I was his business partner. Our patient base was growing quickly. Our treatment schedule was booked solid We had grown the business to the point that we were ready to hire staff. Life was stable, and above all, we were happy.

Then COVID-19 hit.

We lost our patients.

We lost our income.

We lost our business.

We lost our home.

Since 2020, Taylor has endured seven major surgeries and a progressive decline in health. He hasn’t been able to return to consistent work. With no family safety net, no real income, no savings, and long delays navigating medical and VA systems, he is now living in his van while waiting to get approved for much needed medical treatment.

Specialty care often requires a two-hour drive to the Loma Linda VA—and even basic logistics become difficult without stable housing.

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“Most of the people who received this implant had it removed withing 10—20 years. I’m the only person I know of who has had the patch in place for more than 30 years.” – Taylor

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Who Taylor Is

Taylor is an extraordinary human being. Taylor is family to me. He is one of the best, kindest, and most intelligent people I’ve even known. He has spent his life helping other people find answers.

Former Army medic.

Former ER nurse.

Acupuncturist.

Herbalist.

Doctor of Acupuncture with a strong integrative (Western + Eastern medicine) background.

He isn’t just a patient. He’s medically trained clinician who tracks patterns, monitors labs, and asks the right questions. He's deeply research-minded, and understands how the healthcare systems works. And yet, for years the path to answers has had starts and stops — delays, missed connections, and required steps that don't always match the urgency — made harder each month as his symptoms worsen and he's without stable housing.

Taylor would never describe himself as a hero, but anyone who’s been in his care knows the truth: he’s spent years showing up for other people — especially, the hard cases. Until his health decline, he was extremely active, fit, healthy, and wellness-focused — the kind of person always training, hiking, practicing martial arts, and living the principles he taught. He has integrity, humor, and heart. And now he needs our help.

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His Van Isn’t Just Transportation — It’s Shelter

The van is his only safe place to sleep.

It’s how he gets to appointments.

It’s where he stores everything he owns.

Vehicle living while this sick is brutal.

He’s dealing with severe fatigue, hypersomnia, migraines with nausea, temperature dysregulation, and cognitive fog — yet he must constantly move the van to avoid tickets or towing. He worries about harassment, vandalism, and mechanical breakdowns.

He is actively pursuing veteran housing resources, but placement takes time and documentation — both difficult while ill and unhoused.

This fundraiser helps bridge that gap.

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Additional Medical Challenges

Taylor also has a significant cardiac history (SVT) and has undergone two cardiac ablations. He may ultimately require a pacemaker if the SVT can’t be controlled, which means stimulants (including caffeine) are not a safe option for managing extreme fatigue.

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Lost in a Maze of Paperwork and the Administrative Reality

Medical care doesn’t move automatically.

Scheduling.

Referrals.

Testing.

Records.

Disability paperwork.

Everything requires follow-up. Everything takes TIME.

I stepped in because he simply doesn’t have the bandwidth to carry this alone. He is pursuing VA disability and income stabilization, but those decisions take months.

Time is the one thing that we don’t have. We need results, and we need them now.

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How your Donations will Help

Funds support immediate living and medical-access:

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Taylor is not asking for a free ride. In fact, he hates asking for help. He’s trying to stay stable long enough to get properly treated— and return to the work he loves: helping others heal.

If you can give:

Any amount helps. If you can’t donate, sharing this link or posting this GFM link on your social media matters more than you know.

And if you’re able to help beyond donating—medical expertise, legal guidance, or practical support—please reach out through GoFundMe messages.

Thank you for showing up for Taylor.

With deep gratitude,

Lisa (Campaign Organizer)

Ron (Co-Organizer)