My name is Kenneth Kostecki, and I'm a divorced father of three doing my best to provide for my children while navigating some very difficult circumstances. I have proudly served as a deputy sheriff for Will County, but after contracting COVID, I was left with severe lung scarring and nearly lost my life. I spent almost two months in a coma at Silver Cross Hospital and required a tracheostomy to breathe. When I finally woke, I faced seven long months of rehab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, where I had to relearn how to walk and talk. Since then, I've had to attend multiple doctor appointments each week as I prepare for my pending lung transplants next spring. While I'm determined to recover and return to the sheriff's office, the weight of my medical condition combined with the financial stress and toll on my mental health has left me struggling. I currently live on workers' compensation, which has not increased in years. With rising costs of housing, gas, utilities, and food, I am falling short on cash every month and barley managing to cover basic necessities like electricity, water and groceries. I am reaching out for help to cover essential bills and provide stability for my children until I'm healthy enough to return to work. Any donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference and will go directly toward keeping the light on, food on the table, and easing the overwhelming burden on my family during this time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.