Please take a moment to read and share the story of our dear coworker, Rich Hart. He has been a beloved employee for the USPS for 18 years and planned on many more until he and his wife experienced life changing medical issues at the same time.

On May 10th, my life took an unexpected turn. I woke up unable to move my foot—something that seemed small at first, but turned out to be a much bigger issue. After seeing a doctor, I was diagnosed with "drop foot," a condition that left me unable to lift my foot and move it properly. This led me to numerous visits to neurologists, MRIs, and tests, where I was also diagnosed with spinal stenosis. My doctors recommended back surgery, which I underwent and spent 6 weeks recovering from.

During this time, my wife had to step in and take care of everything, including mowing the lawn. Unfortunately, while doing so, she stepped on a rusty nail. Being diabetic with neuropathy, the wound quickly became infected, and despite initial treatment, the infection worsened. On June 24th, she had to undergo a below-the-knee amputation.

As she recovered in the hospital and rehab, I continued to receive care for my conditions. But the news didn’t stop. During my treatments, doctors also found lesions on the left side of my brain, and I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a condition that I am now beginning treatment for.

The medical costs for both of us have piled up quickly. Here’s a breakdown of the challenges we’re facing:

My medical costs:

The generic version of my MS medication costs $50/month with insurance.

I also take a monthly shot for MS that costs $9,349/month without insurance.

I have a $120 copay for a 14-day series of shots called Acthar Gel, though insurance is dragging its feet on coverage.

I will also need to travel to Tampa for 3 consecutive days for IV treatments, which will cost $200.

My wife’s medical costs:

Her prosthetic leg has already cost us over $1,200, and the bills continue to add up.

She spent 2 weeks in the hospital, followed by 2 weeks in rehab, all of which have led to overwhelming medical bills.

Additionally, I’ve exhausted most of my sick leave and annual leave from work, and although I’ve tried to return with restrictions, I’m still awaiting approval to do so. We’ve maxed out our credit cards trying to cover basic living expenses and medical costs, and we’re currently unable to take out a loan to help.

We are doing our best to stay strong and support each other through this difficult time, but we cannot do it alone. Your support would mean the world to us. If you are able to help, any contribution—no matter how small—would go a long way toward easing the financial burden of medical bills, treatments, and daily expenses.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. We appreciate every donation, share, and prayer as we navigate this journey.