I’ve always been the person who figures things out.

If something broke, I fixed it. If there was a project to finish, I found a way. I’ve always taken pride in being self-reliant and being able to provide for my family with my own two hands.

Right now, that’s been taken from me more than I ever expected.

I’ve been battling Crohn’s disease, and recently it’s gotten worse. Between flare-ups, constant fatigue, and even time spent in the hospital, my body has forced me to slow down in a way my mind still hasn’t fully accepted.

It’s not just about being sick—it’s about losing the ability to do the things I’ve always done without thinking. Working long hours. Fixing my own vehicles. Finishing projects around the house. Being that dependable person for my family.

And that’s been the hardest part.

We’re doing everything we can to keep moving forward. My wife has taken on a second job, I still try to push through and do what I can—but some days, even the basics feel like a lot.

We’ve had the same vehicles for about 10 years, both over 20 years old, and I’ve always kept them running myself. Now, even that is becoming a challenge. Around the house, there are projects I started with every intention of finishing—but physically, I just can’t right now.

More than anything, I just want to get things back in order—to have a safe, finished space for my kids to play, to have reliable transportation, and to get back to a place where I’m not constantly playing catch-up.

This is something I never thought I would do, but I’ve had a lot of people ask how they can help, and this felt like the best way to give that option without putting pressure on anyone.

This isn’t about asking for handouts. It’s about getting through a hard chapter while I focus on getting healthy and rebuilding.

Any support will go toward:

Keeping up with essential bills

Hiring help to finish projects I physically can’t complete right now

Maintaining or replacing our vehicles with something more reliable

If you’re able to contribute, I’m truly grateful. If not, sharing this helps more than you might think.

And I want to say this clearly—I don’t forget things like this. When I’m back in a position to help others, I will. Whether it’s through work, time, or support, I fully plan to pay it forward.

This has been a humbling experience, but it’s also reminded me that I don’t have to carry everything alone—even though that’s what I’ve always tried to do.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you to everyone who has supported us in any way.