Get Dad Through Back Surgery
Donation protected
Hello everyone. My name is Jeannie, and I am a 22 yr. old graduating college student of Florida International University. I've started this GoFundMe account for a person who has lived the better half of his life for other people, continuously working (sometimes 3 jobs at a time) just to provide for his family. He has pushed me to be where I am today, and I could not imagine my life without him. That person is my father- Joe. 
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Throughout the past, it has been difficult for my father. He has been a single parent of my younger brother and I since before I was 10 years old. During the times of economic downturn, my father- an adventurist- has traveled for months at a time to clean up numerous natural disasters.
Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana- 2005
Hurricane Rita, Louisiana- 2005
The Floods of Iowa - 2008
Hurricane Ike, Texas- 2008
BP Oil Spill, Florida Panhandle- 2010
While working for these relief companies, my dad lived in a small utility trailer or in a tent on camp sites. He did everything he could just to keep a steady income.
After returning home, my father took a loss with a failed business and was forced to file bankruptcy. But by his determination, and fierce commitment to his kids and family, he was able to keep paying the mortgage, and we were able to continue living a comfortable lifestyle.
All this to say, that my father is no stranger to hard work and he puts others before himself always.
THE FALL
Unfortunately, years of intensive physical labor, and not enough time off has resulted in quite a few injuries. For as long as I can remember, my father has had lower-back pain. We all just assumed it was an old football injury, and he would live with it for the rest of his life. Well... this past December of 2017, my father fell off a ladder, while reaching for holiday decorations. Since that day, his back has been getting progressively worse.
The same man who was going to the gym 5 days out of the week, could now barely walk.
THE FIGHT
The first week of January came around and my dad began visiting the doctors and nearly fighting with his insurance company to help him. It took 2 months of begging the insurance company for approval of cortisone shots that would relieve the swelling in his back. But during all of this wait time, my father was gradually becoming numb in his legs, and the fear of losing the use of them became very real.
As of the middle of March, my father received his shots. They mildly relieved some pain at first, but no amount of shots could prevent the need for surgery.
Overtime, the discs in between Dad's two lower vertebrae have been diminished, and now there is bone rubbing on bone. He needs surgery that will fuse the two bones together- more specifically Lumbar Spinal Fusion
- fusing the L4 to the L5 and the L5 to the S1.
Even with his insurance, this surgery is going to cost him approximately $6300 out of pocket, and at least a month out of work.
THE GOAL
His last visit to the doctor was Friday, March 16th, and on that day he was approved for surgery, and tells me that he will be scheduled for it by the end of April.
Dad has been tirelessly working every day, through the teeth-gritting pain, to make sure he doesn't miss a paycheck before he has to. He has been so stressed out about how he is going to afford this surgery, and is almost killing himself before he can get it.
I cannot just sit back and do nothing. I am prepared to exhaust every resource to help raise the money for the surgery. And I am asking for your help in doing so.
The goal is to raise $6300 to cover the surgery by the end of April. I am aware that April is quickly approaching... but Dad is at risk of losing his mobility which would be detrimental to his life, and his loved ones.
Any donation amount is appreciated, and equally important is the SHARING of this account.
You can help me by donating, or sharing my link on social media.
-Facebook
-Instagram
-Twitter
-Etc.
Thank you so much for reading!
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Throughout the past, it has been difficult for my father. He has been a single parent of my younger brother and I since before I was 10 years old. During the times of economic downturn, my father- an adventurist- has traveled for months at a time to clean up numerous natural disasters.
Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana- 2005
Hurricane Rita, Louisiana- 2005
The Floods of Iowa - 2008
Hurricane Ike, Texas- 2008
BP Oil Spill, Florida Panhandle- 2010
While working for these relief companies, my dad lived in a small utility trailer or in a tent on camp sites. He did everything he could just to keep a steady income.
After returning home, my father took a loss with a failed business and was forced to file bankruptcy. But by his determination, and fierce commitment to his kids and family, he was able to keep paying the mortgage, and we were able to continue living a comfortable lifestyle.
All this to say, that my father is no stranger to hard work and he puts others before himself always.
THE FALL
Unfortunately, years of intensive physical labor, and not enough time off has resulted in quite a few injuries. For as long as I can remember, my father has had lower-back pain. We all just assumed it was an old football injury, and he would live with it for the rest of his life. Well... this past December of 2017, my father fell off a ladder, while reaching for holiday decorations. Since that day, his back has been getting progressively worse.
The same man who was going to the gym 5 days out of the week, could now barely walk.
THE FIGHT
The first week of January came around and my dad began visiting the doctors and nearly fighting with his insurance company to help him. It took 2 months of begging the insurance company for approval of cortisone shots that would relieve the swelling in his back. But during all of this wait time, my father was gradually becoming numb in his legs, and the fear of losing the use of them became very real.
As of the middle of March, my father received his shots. They mildly relieved some pain at first, but no amount of shots could prevent the need for surgery.
Overtime, the discs in between Dad's two lower vertebrae have been diminished, and now there is bone rubbing on bone. He needs surgery that will fuse the two bones together- more specifically Lumbar Spinal Fusion
- fusing the L4 to the L5 and the L5 to the S1.
Even with his insurance, this surgery is going to cost him approximately $6300 out of pocket, and at least a month out of work.
THE GOAL
His last visit to the doctor was Friday, March 16th, and on that day he was approved for surgery, and tells me that he will be scheduled for it by the end of April.
Dad has been tirelessly working every day, through the teeth-gritting pain, to make sure he doesn't miss a paycheck before he has to. He has been so stressed out about how he is going to afford this surgery, and is almost killing himself before he can get it.
I cannot just sit back and do nothing. I am prepared to exhaust every resource to help raise the money for the surgery. And I am asking for your help in doing so.
The goal is to raise $6300 to cover the surgery by the end of April. I am aware that April is quickly approaching... but Dad is at risk of losing his mobility which would be detrimental to his life, and his loved ones.
Any donation amount is appreciated, and equally important is the SHARING of this account.
You can help me by donating, or sharing my link on social media.
-Etc.
Thank you so much for reading!
Organizer and beneficiary
Jeannie Strait
Organizer
Lake Worth, FL
Joseph Sarappa
Beneficiary
