My name is Jason, and I am reaching out on behalf of my family.

For the past 25 years, my father, Johnny, has worked as a drywall finisher; enduring long days, hot temperatures, and working his body to the bone all to provide for his family of five. Throughout the years, there's been ups and downs: unexpected expenses, lay-offs, and tragedies. But despite that, my father was always able to rely on his skills in the trade to make ends meet and put food on the table.

Like many families today, the rising prices of everyday necessities began to take its toll, and one income just wasn't enough to keep bellies full and rent paid. So, like many others in his field of work, my father picked up side jobs on his off days to earn a little extra to keep up with the growing cost of living.

On March 12, 2025, while working one of these jobs, things took an unfortunate turn. A newly finished floor covered in paper was hiding an unmarked hazard: an open air vent. Normally, these vents are marked or properly covered to prevent accidents from happening. In this case, there was nothing to alert him of its existence as he set up his work bench and stepped up to start working. The leg of the bench slipped into the unmarked vent and threw him off, sending him crashing to the ground, in pain, but thankful none of the sharp equipment he carried had cut him.

But the pain in his foot was excruciating. And after seeing it bruised and swollen, my mother went with him to seek emergency care. At the ER, they were told that my father's calcaneus (heel bone) had been fractured in two places. A visit with a specialist to see the extent of the injury delivered news no working class family wants to hear: he would not be able to work for at least 8 weeks. 8 weeks with no pay, 8 weeks of uncertainty, 8 weeks of his children wondering if they will be able to eat tonight, 8 weeks of trying to figure out how to pay rent and utilities, 8 weeks of medical bills adding to the ever growing weight on his shoulders.

We're in the process of looking into legal options, but these things are uncertain and take time. But no one deserves to face crushing financial hardships all because he was trying to provide for his family. So I am asking for any help you can offer in helping them pay their bills and to provide for my little siblings while my father heals.

Thank you for your kindness and support.