Our son Ethan 19 years old dedicated himself to serving our country with honor. He entered the U.S. Army with the hope of building a meaningful career and future. Cleared by MEPS with no prior medical conditions, Ethan successfully completed basic training and graduated with honor, pride, and commitment.

During basic training, Ethan sustained a serious back injury. Despite the pain, he was advised not to seek medical attention due to his upcoming final FORGE field exercise and graduation ceremony. Trusting his leadership and committed to finishing what he started, Ethan complied.

Once he arrived at AIT (Advanced Individual Training), the pain didn’t go away—it worsened. He repeatedly sought help from on-base medical providers, but imaging was never performed—neither at the post nor the local military-affiliated hospital. He was told the pain was from muscle spasms and was prescribed ibuprofen, muscle relaxers, and sent to on-base physical therapy that only made things worse.

Ethan begged to see a specialist, asking multiple times for a referral to an orthopedic physician. Each time, he was ignored.

As weeks passed, Ethan’s symptoms escalated: severe back pain, tingling, numbness, weakness in both legs, and constant discomfort. Despite multiple ER visits, he received no answers and no real treatment. Then, one day, while at chow, Ethan collapsed. He had lost all feeling in his legs and couldn’t get up off the floor. He was rushed to the ER for the fourth time. Due to the severity of his condition, he was transferred an hour and a half away—where he finally received an MRI.

That MRI revealed a serious spinal condition. He was admitted for pain management and began inpatient physical therapy. But by then, the damage—both physically and emotionally—had taken its toll.

During his last months in uniform, Ethan fell into depression. He felt helpless, unheard, and invisible. He asked to speak to a therapist, hoping for support. Instead of receiving help and advocacy, he was diagnosed with “adjustment disorder”—a label that the Army used to initiate the discharge process.

When Ethan was finally discharged from the Army, he wasn’t just let go—he was stripped of what little dignity he had left. He was forced to return all of his military uniforms and even his dog tags—a symbol of his service and something he earned by completing basic training with honor. It was a final, heartbreaking blow.

Since coming home, Ethan has finally received care from civilian doctors. He’s been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, a condition that has left him in constant pain and unable to work. He now wears a full back brace, is undergoing epidural injections, and has a long road of recovery ahead.

We’re asking for your help to raise funds for:

Legal representation to fight for Ethan’s rights, his veteran benefits, and to challenge the injustice of his discharge and medical neglect

Medical treatment including specialist visits, therapies, and mobility support

Living expenses while Ethan heals and navigates this new reality. Ethan gave everything he had to serve this country. He was willing to sacrifice, and he did. What he didn’t expect was to be abandoned, ignored, and denied the care and respect he rightfully earned.

Now we are fighting for Ethan. And we need your help.

Whether through a donation, sharing his story, or offering emotional support, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Every contribution brings Ethan one step closer to justice, healing, and hope.

Thank you for standing with Ethan. He deserves so much better—and together, we can help him get there.