Help My Dad Rebuild His Life After Losing His Leg.

Hi, my name is Cadence, and I’m making this GoFundMe for my dad. My dad has been in the fight of his life for the past year, battling to save his leg. He has gone through more pain, more surgeries, and more setbacks than anyone should ever have to endure. And now, after months of trying everything possible, the final decision has been made: in two weeks, my dad will be losing his leg.

This is not just a medical situation—it’s deeply personal. My dad isn’t just anyone. He’s the most loving, outgoing, and lively person I know. He lights up every room he walks into, he’s a friend to everyone, and he’s a true social butterfly. He loves being outdoors—hunting, fishing, hiking, and building. He’s always been strong, independent, and active. The idea that he will have to relearn how to do the things that make him him is heartbreaking, but if you know my dad, you know he’s also a fighter.

This battle began after he broke his leg and required a knee replacement. Before the procedure, he told his doctors that he carries a strong strain of staph infection and that he should be placed on antibiotics to reduce his risk. His warning was brushed aside, and he was told antibiotics weren’t necessary. That decision turned our world upside down.

He developed an aggressive infection shortly after, and his life became consumed by surgeries and hospital visits. In the last 8 months, he has undergone 14 surgeries trying to clear the infection. Imagine that—14 times on the operating table, 14 times hoping it would be the last, and still the infection kept coming back. For much of this time, he had no knee at all. His leg was fused completely straight—unable to bend. Everyday tasks that most people take for granted became impossible. His independence slipped away piece by piece, and the outdoorsman who once never sat still was forced into a life of waiting, enduring, and hoping.

Now, we’ve been given the hardest choice of all: lose his leg or lose his life. The infection can be temporarily controlled with antibiotics, but not forever. If we don’t take action, it will spread beyond his leg, and it could kill him. As devastating as it is, the only way forward is amputation.

This is where we are asking for help. My dad deserves a chance at life—not just surviving, but living fully again. Insurance will only cover the most basic prosthetic leg, but the truth is, those don’t allow for an active lifestyle. They’re heavy, uncomfortable, and extremely limiting. My dad deserves more than the bare minimum. He deserves a prosthetic that will give him back the freedom to move, the chance to walk in the woods again, to fish along the riverbank, to keep building and creating with his hands. He deserves to keep living, not just existing.

We are raising funds to help get him a high-quality prosthetic leg, one that will allow him to thrive—not just get by. The cost is far beyond what we can cover on our own, but with the kindness and generosity of others, we believe it’s possible.

This journey ahead will not be easy. There will be recovery, therapy, and an incredible amount of adjustment. But if anyone can face it with strength, it’s my dad. He has already proven time and time again that he won’t give up. What he needs now is a community behind him—lifting him up, supporting him, and giving him the tools to fight for his future.

We are so deeply grateful for every bit of support—whether that’s through a donation, sharing this fundraiser, or keeping my dad in your prayers. Every act of kindness matters. It’s not just about helping him get a prosthetic leg—it’s about giving him back his independence, his joy, and the life he loves so much.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for walking beside us on this journey. Your support means more than words can ever express.