Give Jerry a Chance to See His Family Again

Help My Friend Jerry Lipscomb Regain His Sight and Save His Family’s Future

Hello, everyone. My name is Alex Shy, and I’m reaching out today on behalf of one of my closest friends, Jerry Lipscomb. If you know Jerry, then you know what an amazing, kind, and hardworking person he is. Over the past year, Jerry has faced a devastating, life-changing event: he lost his vision completely due to a rare genetic condition called Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). This disease has no known cure, and it’s left Jerry legally blind.

As someone who’s always been there for others, this has been incredibly tough for Jerry. He’s a loving father to two young children and has always been actively involved in their lives—coaching their teams, playing sports with them, and being the hands-on dad every kid dreams of. But now, his life has been turned upside down, and so has his family’s.

Jerry had recently taken over his late father’s landscaping and hardscaping business, Sons of Jerrico, after his dad passed unexpectedly in 2021. He was determined to continue his father’s legacy and provide for his family, but with his vision loss, the physical work required for this business has become nearly impossible. To make matters worse, Meghan, Jerry’s fiancée, also lost her father suddenly in 2023. Their family has endured more heartache than anyone should ever have to face.

There is a glimmer of hope, though. Jerry has been approved for an experimental stem cell study treatment that has shown promise in restoring vision in patients with LHON. This is the best news they’ve received in a long time, but there’s one major obstacle—cost. The treatment, travel, and associated expenses are not covered by insurance or any grants, and after being out of work for a year, Jerry and Meghan have no means to afford it.

Here’s an excerpt from Meghan Smith, Jerry’s fiancée:

"Hi there, my name is Meghan Smith, and my fiancé Jerry Lipscomb unexpectedly lost his vision completely about a year ago to a hereditary optic nerve disease called Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). Our lives have been flipped upside down since then, as one can imagine. This disease has no cure or treatment. There is currently a stem cell study treatment trial that he has been approved for, which has shown improvement in vision loss patients like him. This has been the best news we’ve had all year until we were informed of the cost.

There is no grant support or funding available for this trial, which means the patient is responsible for the procedure costs, airfare, hotels, and other travel fees to get it done. It’s embarrassing to even ask for this, but after Jerry being out of work for the last year, we have absolutely no means to come up with the money in such a short amount of time, and we are desperate at this point to try anything.

A little about Jerry: He is a 35-year-old loving father of 2 who was always involved and hands-on in their sports and everyday lives. He is a dependable friend to so many and always willing to help those in need.

Jerry is the most outgoing, kindest person I’ve ever met, and I’m not just saying that because I love him. He is truly someone who would give the shirt off his back and help anyone in need if he can. Even blind, he’s still staying positive and is there for anyone who needs him.

It would truly be a miracle for him to get his vision back. Our daughters have been so understanding and supportive, but it’s obvious that deep down, they just miss the daddy they have always known. We’re asking for any help you can give to make this treatment possible. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

How You Can Help

Jerry has always been the one lending a hand when someone needed it. Now, it’s our turn to help him. We’re raising funds to cover the costs of Jerry’s stem cell treatment, travel, and any other expenses that will give him a chance to regain his vision and rebuild his life.

Any donation—no matter how small—will make a difference in Jerry’s journey. Your support will help him continue being the amazing father, fiancé, and friend that we all know and love.

If you can’t donate, we completely understand, but please consider sharing this campaign with others. Every share helps us get closer to our goal and closer to giving Jerry the chance to see again.

Thank you so much for your support, your kindness, and your generosity.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Alex Shy

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How to Donate:

- Please use this GoFundMe page to contribute. Every dollar counts.

- Share Jerry’s story with your family, friends, and social networks.