Support a Soon-to-Be Veteran’s Vocal Surgery

My Journey

Hi, I'm David McCarthy. After almost 20 years of dedicated active duty military service, I am preparing to transition from active duty to retired veteran status. As I approach this significant milestone, I carry with me a challenge, a burden if you will. My voice, which should have been a powerful tool for leadership and connection, has severely affect my ability to lead effectively. My voice has not only impacted my ability to communicate but also my confidence and sense of identity.

My journey first began in the military, where I have served with honor and distinction. My leadership was instrumental in this role, allowing me to inspire and guide fellow soldiers. However, as I prepare to retire from active duty, my voice cotinues to be a source of anguish. What started as a minor inconvenience soon became a significant barrier to my daily life and interactions.

The COVID Ultimatum and The Life-Changing Revelation

The COVID-19 pandemic threw another curveball. As many are aware, vaccinations became mandatory for the military during the initial COVID wave, forcing a difficult personal decision. As a soldier who had already devoted 15 years of his life into service, the thought of being kicked out of the military and losing all my benefits and honor was agonizing. But like many others, well-founded doubts lingered about the highly controversial vaccines and its safety/effectiveness. In the end, the lack of a confident voice to express my concerns led to a compromise – a compromise that left me feeling lost and unsure.

However, this forced a much-needed introspection that also revealed a profound truth: my voice mattered. It was time to take action. It was time for it to be heard the way it is meant to be heard.

Failed Attempts and a Fleeting Hope

The path to achieving my goal has been paved by one failure after another. First, I explored hormone replacement therapy, hoping a testosterone boost would deepen my voice. Months passed, but the results were negligible. Vocal coaching offered some promise, focusing on diaphragmatic breathing and other “tried and true” techniques. Yet, after 20 sessions over another 6-month period, the verdict was clear: this path wouldn’t lead to the permanent change.

Then, last year, came an unexpected twist – a bout with laryngitis. The sore throat was unpleasant, but for a brief period of time, something extraordinary happened.

When I awoke one morning in early September of 2023, I could instantly hear a change in my voice. It was deeper, richer – a voice I never knew I possessed. It was like a fog lifting, revealing a newfound confidence. People listened.

Losing The Short-lived Dream: A Painful Snap Back To Reality

Why This Surgery Matters

This vocal surgery is crucial for me to regain my confidence which has been shaken and with it, my ability to lead and to inspire others. This surgery will enable me to continue my mission of inspiring and supporting fellow veterans, a cause close to my heart. With your help, you are not only giving me my voice back but also empowering me to continue making a difference in the lives of others.

Under the Knife

The surgery, Type 3 Thyroplasty, will address the underlying issue affecting my vocal cords, allowing me to speak clearly with a deeper tone and confidently once again. This is not just about restoring my ability to communicate confidently; it’s about giving me back a vital part of my identity. With my voice restored, I plan to engage more actively in veteran support groups, sharing my experiences, and advocate for others facing similar challenges.

How You Can Help

Your support can make a significant impact. Donations will go directly towards covering the costs of getting the surgery and post-operative care. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings me one step closer to finding my true voice. Even a donation of $5 is a significant amount to me to helping me realize my life-long dream.

My medical expenses include not only the surgery itself but also the necessary follow-up treatments and therapies to ensure a full recovery. The total cost of the surgery and necssary arrangements is estimated at $6,000, which includes:

Travel: $1,000

Lodging and Transportation: $500

Surgery and Medical Expenses: $4,000

Vocal Therapy Coach Sessions: $500 (10 Sessions)

Total: $6000

We need to raise the funds by March 15, 2025 to ensure I can undergo the surgery and start my recovery process on time. By contributing to this campaign, you are directly helping to alleviate the financial burden on my family and me, allowing us to focus on my recovery and future.

Call to Action

Please consider donating to my GoFundMe campaign and sharing this page with your network. Together, we can help me regain my voice and continue my mission of service.

Your generosity will have a lasting impact, not only on my life but also on the lives of those I continue to inspire and support. Every share and donation brings us closer to our goal, and I am deeply grateful for your support.

If you wish to donate other than through GoFundMe, I also accept the following:

Cashapp: $Andy86700

Venmo: @David-mccarthy-98

Social Sharing

Help spread the word by sharing this page on social media, with your friends, coworkers, and family. Your support and shares can make a world of difference.

Regular Updates

I will keep this page updated with my progress, new photos, and messages of gratitude.

And in the chance this does get funded, I will post some final videos after the surgery, and again as I am healed, with a personal thank you to all of you that helped make a seemingly impossible dream a reality.

Thank you for your support!

(Disclaimer: No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to your GoFundMe..)