My name is Donald Bear I am an enrolled member of the Aaniiih and Nakoda Tribes of Fort Belknap Indian Community. I am currently a patient at Continental Care and Rehabilitation Center in Butte MT for long term care due to above the knee amputation on my right leg due to an infection that was a result of a total knee replacement from a fatal car accident in 2008 which took the life of my best friend. Prior to the amputation I underwent 10 surgeries to repair damaged to my knee joint from chronic infections that took a lot of bone out of femur. Along with the rehabilitation I am on 24 hours a day of continuous antibiotics through a PICC line to get rid of infection in femur bone. I was referred to MCDC by Behavioral Health Department in Fort Belknap for my substance abuse problem. I completed treatment , and transitioned into long term sober living at The Butte Spirit House. While there I went to Emergency room at Intermountain Health Care for knee pain and referred to Same Day Orthopedics. I was diagnosed with another infection

at would require amputation and aftercare. I was receiving provisional SSDI for $1495 for 6 months while they processed my claim. July 2025 was the last month I received benefits that I used to pay my rent at Spirit House Which was $650 , my cell phone bill, and the rest I gave to my

ildren for support. I was given no prior warning that my benefits for August 2025 would stop. I have no family up here and no income. My children and my wife are currently at the Cameron Family Center in Great Falls and cannot afford to travel to Butte to see me. This has caused our family a tremendous amount of stress and financial problems. Will you please assist I and my family in our time of need. We need t

purchase school cloths, supplies, and backpacks for the 4 older children. We also need to purchase cloths, diapers, wipes, and milk for our 6 month old baby. The first day of school is on 8/27/2025 they all will be attending the Great Falls School District for 2025-2026 school year. Thank You for you attention to thi

matter.

Donald Bear and Family