My brother-in-law, Dustin Willie, suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday, August 21st. He was life-flighted to University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson, MS, and is still with us, which is a miracle. His injuries are severe and will require numerous surgeries to reconstruct his face. Then he will go to a rehabilitation facility to regain strength once he is discharged from the hospital. He has a long road ahead of him, but we have faith in him and God.

The details surrounding what happened are deeply personal, and those details are for Dustin and his family to share in their own time, if and when they ever feel ready. Right now, our focus is simply on Dustin, his recovery, and making sure his family can be by his side.

Dustin is a loving father of five, son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend to many. His mother and siblings are determined to remain by his side through this ordeal. His mother has taken FMLA from work (without pay) so she can be with her son. Unfortunately, the hospital (UMMC) where Dustin is receiving care is hours away from his family’s homes. His mother and two of his siblings are nearly two hours away in the Grenada, MS, area. His oldest brother is nearly three hours away in Hernando, MS. His mother and siblings are making trips back and forth to the hospital to ensure someone is there for Dustin. Between the long-distance travel, gas, food, and needing somewhere to stay near the hospital, the financial burden is becoming overwhelming on top of everything else this family is already facing. These unexpected trips and time off work are taking a toll on the family’s finances.

I’m started this GoFundMe because I want to take even a small part of that burden off the family’s shoulders. Funds raised will go toward gas, hotel/hospital-area stays, food, and other necessary expenses that come with being away from home while Dustin remains hospitalized. Any excess funds will go toward helping Dustin rebuild his life.

Our biggest goal is simple: we want Dustin’s family to be able to stay by his side without having to choose between being there for him and being able to afford the cost of getting there.

Please continue to keep Dustin and his entire family in your prayers. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who has checked on us, prayed, shared, donated, or simply kept Dustin in your thoughts. We are incredibly grateful. ❤️