A Father’s Battle: The Surgery That Can Change Everything

• Summary

Alex is a 40 year old devoted father, partner, and a man full of life. He’s the kind of person who lights up every room—always eager to help, teach, and inspire those around him. Now he's facing a devastating challenge that is quickly threatening his mobility, independence permanently.

His diagnosis:

• Severe Degenerative Disc Disease (stage 4)

• Disc Herniation

• Foraminal Stenosis

• Ligamentous Hypertrophy

• Facet Arthropathy at L4/L5 & L5/S1

Simple terms the damaged discs between the vertebra in the lower area are completely worn out due to a combination of damages within the spinal canal.

These conditions cause extreme pain, wear down of the joints, nerve and spinal cord compression, and worsening neurological symptoms. His condition is rapidly deteriorating, putting him at risk of permanent nerve damage and total loss of lower body function. If he doesn't get this surgery he will soon be in a wheelchair permanently with loss of function in his lower body.

Despite exploring all available options in Canada, the socialized healthcare system does not recognize the urgency of my case because they don't have the advanced medical techniques and specialty needed.

Dr. Thomas Bierstedt was kind enough to fly all the way to Canada to personally explain the reality of what he's facing and it’s urgency. His L4/L5 discs are completely gone—leaving nothing but bone grinding against bone, a stage 4 degeneration with no cushion left to soften the impact. The L5/S1 discs are close behind, rapidly deteriorating from stage 3 to stage 4, offering no relief. Every movement, every step, is a reminder that there are no temporary fixes, no interventions left to slow this process down or manage the pain. It’s a relentless, bone-on-bone battle in his spine, and the urgency to act is clear.

He's been accepted at the world-renowned ONZ Institute in Germany for a life-changing spinal surgery this year. This procedure is his best chance at a pain-free future keeping his mobility. The chances of full recovery and mobility are 99.9% and 80% full recovery.

The cost of surgery, travel, and recovery is overwhelming: $74,000 CAD.

Despite our best efforts, we can’t do this alone. Every bit makes the world of a difference!

Whether it's a donation of $5-$25 or $50 every bit helps me get closer to this surgery. If you can’t donate, sharing his story means the world to us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.

Together, we can help Alex break free from pain and take back his future.