Hello, everyone!

My name is David Aquino. I’m 33 years old, a proud partner to my amazing wife Charly, and a Dad to our energetic 6-year-old, Jackson: the little guy who keeps us smiling no matter what life throws our way.

I was born with a rare spinal condition called Lipomyelomeningocele, which falls under the family of Spina Bifida. At just four months old, I underwent extensive surgery and spent time at SickKids Hospital to mitigate the effects of the condition. Thanks to that procedure, and a lot of love and support, I went on to live a normal, active childhood. I played every sport imaginable, was fast as the wind, and unstoppable in everything I did.

That all changed in 2011, when I began losing sensation and control of my left foot. Over the years, the symptoms worsened. In 2017, after a long-awaited MRI, we discovered that the lipoma had returned, this time spanning from L3 to L5, deeply entangled in my nerves. The diagnosis was devastating: inoperable and terminal (life-long), causing severe spinal stenosis.

Since then, my left calf has completely atrophied, and repeated injuries have led to serious infections like cellulitis and even blood poisoning. Despite my best efforts to keep pushing forward, the damage and recurring wounds have become too much to manage.

After many difficult conversations with my medical team and family, we’ve made the decision to amputate my left leg below the knee. At my most recent appointment, my surgeon informed us that an opening had become available. The date is now set for November 26th, 2025.

Two weeks. Wow.

It’s coming fast, but I’m choosing to see this as a chance to heal, reset, and look forward to what’s next. With a winter recovery ahead, I’m hopeful that by summer 2026, I’ll be on my feet again, quite literally, and rediscovering a sense of normalcy I haven’t felt in nearly 15 years.

That said, the road ahead is not an easy one. I’m an independent contractor in the insurance industry, so while I’m recovering, there won’t be a consistent income coming in. Meanwhile, life doesn’t pause. Bills, family expenses, and the costs associated with rehabilitation and prosthetics will pile up quickly.

Your support, whether it’s a donation, a share, or a kind word, will make an enormous difference for my family and me during this transition. Every bit helps relieve the financial stress so we can focus on healing, adapting, and moving forward with hope.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting us through this chapter.

Here’s to new beginnings - one step at a time.

Much love,

David, Charly & Jackson Aquino