Covering Medical Expenses for my Veteran Father

Hello, friends. Strangers. Family. Humans. 

It's hard to start this message. I am not sure what to write. I suppose I will start with telling you about my father, Ryan. 

We met ten years ago when he fell in love with my mom. Sure, legally, he is my step father, but man. That guy didn't need to take me into his arms the way he did. My bonus dad is one of the greatest men I have ever met in my life. I credit him for the human I am today. Ryan has taught me patience, kindness, selflessness, and above all, compassion. 

In 1986, my dad joined the US Army. Post 9/11, my father was a part of Operation Enduring Freedom- an operation President Bush put in order to begin air strikes against Al Quaede and the Taliban. He's an American Hero. I don't want to take away from why I am writing this, so let us move on. 

In 2004 or 2005, W. Ryan Bell had to leave the military following a divorce from his spouse. He had three children to raise, and could not do that if he was touring in the military. He spent around 19 years in the service, and was not eligible for veteran benefits. He did not- no, could not retire at 20 years because his kids were too important to him. 

Fast forward to today. He has been married to my mother for a little over ten years now. His youngest daughter, my little sister, just gave birth to a beautiful little boy a few months ago. He's a proud father, and now an even prouder Pop-Pop. 

Three weeks ago, my dad started feeling ill. Deciding to not worry too much about it, as he doesn't have medical insurance from his job or the VA, he continued his job at a local auto parts store. My dad, a US Army Veteran who fought for our country, who fought for his children, who fought to live a comfortable life in the country he protected for almost 20 years, is now in a hospital bed in East Texas with no way to cover his medical costs. 

Ryan had an emergency appendicitis that was so terrible, so invasive, he now has 19 staples in his stomach. Ironic, isn't it? He has been in the hospital for over a week at this point, contracting C.Diff during his stay.

My parents are unable to afford medical health insurance at this time and have been off insurance for a longer time. The government can assist a tad since he was in the service- but getting his meds now? They can't afford it. I can't afford it. We're scrambling trying to come up with enough money to cover his prescriptions and to pay for his hospitalization. I don't want my mom and dad to lose their house they worked so hard for. I don't want them to lose anything else. Both my parents respectively have lived hard lives and have lost too much.

My dad is still in the hospital. We hope he will be out in about a week. We're just really hoping we can afford his medication. At least his prescriptions. Please consider taking a moment to help us. Thank you.