<div>Three months ago, I reached out for help covering my spinal fusion surgery and recovery expenses while on reduced disability pay. Your support has been incredible - $3,002 raised so far has helped me survive this far.
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<div>But I'm writing today because the situation has become critical.
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<div>**What's happened since my surgery:**
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<div>On February 24th, I underwent major spinal fusion surgery (XLIF/TLIF) with an expected recovery timeline of 3-6 months. My employer's long-term disability insurance should be covering 60% of my salary during this recovery period - that's exactly what it's designed for.
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<div>Except it's not.
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<div>Multiple medical providers - including the surgeon who performed my operation - are refusing to complete the long-term disability paperwork required by my insurance company. They've cited internal policies that limit their disability support to 12 weeks, despite performing surgeries that require 6+ months of recovery. I have these refusals documented in writing through patient portal messages.
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<div>Without physician certification, my LTD claim is being denied. That missing 60% of my income isn't a convenience - it's the difference between paying rent and homelessness.
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<div>**Where I am right now:**
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<div>- I still owe money for this month's expenses
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<div>- Next month's rent and bills are completely out of reach
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<div>- I'm preparing to relocate for family support, but can't afford basic moving costs
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<div>- Just transporting my dog safely will cost over $500
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<div>- I'm recovering from major surgery with complications including a wound infection
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<div>- I physically cannot return to work as a field service engineer - my job requires lifting, bending, and physical mobility I don't have
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<div>I'm a disabled veteran who served my country. I worked full-time while pushing off previous surgeries as long as possible. I paid into disability insurance specifically for situations like this. I did everything right.
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<div>And I'm still facing eviction because healthcare providers won't spend 15 minutes filling out paperwork for their own patient.
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<div>**What I need:**
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<div>The original $20,000 goal was for surgery costs and reduced income during initial recovery. That hasn't changed - but now it's also covering the gap created by LTD denial while I fight to get the benefits I've paid for and legally qualify for.
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<div>Every dollar helps:
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<div>- $500 covers Phoebe's transport to keep my family together
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<div>- $1,500 covers this month's remaining bills
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<div>- $2,000 covers next month's rent and utilities  
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<div>- $5,000 covers basic moving expenses and security deposit
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<div>- Additional funds cover medical bills, prescriptions, and survival until this gets resolved
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<div>**I'm not giving up:**
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<div>I'm fighting this through every channel available - insurance appeals, patient advocacy, and potentially media investigation of these provider policies that are harming patients. But fighting takes time, and I'm out of time financially.
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<div>If you can help, I'm grateful. If you can share this, I'm grateful. If all you can offer is a kind word during what's been the hardest period of my life, I'm grateful for that too.
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<div>Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. Thank you for any support you can provide.
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<div>— Craig
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Medical System Failures Leave Disabled Veteran Homeless

Medical System Failures Leave Disabled Veteran Homeless

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