Help Jaxon Recover After a Serious Biking Accident

Hi everyone,

My name is Jaxon Travis and I never thought I’d be in a position where I needed to ask for help like this, but life has thrown me into an incredibly challenging situation, and I’m reaching out in this emergency. On October 5th, I suffered a serious biking accident that left me with multiple injuries, including two broken arms, a dislocated shoulder, and a contused knee. The accident happened just as I was in the final stages of negotiating a new job after months of struggle following the abrupt loss of my previous job. Unfortunately, that opportunity fell through due to my injuries, and I’ve now completely depleted my savings.

Because my former employer misclassified me as a contractor, I am ineligible for unemployment or disability benefits. Despite six weeks of appeals and daily outreach to nonprofits, I’ve been unable to find any assistance that fits my situation other than food stamps.

While I’ve been doing everything I can to minimize costs, cut expenses, and find work—even using voice dictation to complete applications—my injuries have made it impossible to work retail or food service jobs or perform most traditional roles. I am determined to recover, regain my independence, and rebuild my life, but I urgently need help to make it through this crisis.

Your support will help me cover rent and basic living expenses while I focus on healing and continue looking a job that will take me despite the injuries. If you’d like to know more about my full story, I’ve included all the details below. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for any help you can give, whether it’s through a donation or sharing this campaign.

With immense gratitude,

Jaxon E. Travis

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Full Letter if you want to hear more:

Hi All,

I’m Jaxon Travis, and I’m reaching out during one of the most challenging times of my life. About six weeks ago, I suffered a serious biking accident that left me with multiple injuries: a broken right elbow, a broken left wrist (which required surgery), a dislocated left shoulder, and a contused right knee. These injuries have temporarily disabled me, making it impossible to work or manage daily tasks independently, and have made even taking a short walk difficult.

Before the accident, I was working hard to build a stable future. However, I was abruptly terminated with just a day’s notice after raising concerns about being misclassified as a contractor, despite regularly being assigned tasks far beyond the scope of my contract. This misclassification left me ineligible for unemployment benefits. To make matters worse, my application for disability benefits was also denied for the same reason. I’ve spent over six weeks appealing this decision with the help of my state senator and assemblyperson, but my appeal was just denied.

I received a final determination on November 20th that the only way to get the benefits would be to convince my former employer (who terminated me for asking to be classified correctly as an employee) to classify me as an employee retroactively…. And people in hell want ice water.

This has left me entirely without income during my recovery. I’m incredibly grateful for the food stamps I’ve received and the partial medical coverage provided by the state, as I didn’t have job-provided insurance. However, my other expenses—like rent, utilities, and medical bills—are piling up despite my best efforts to manage them.

For the first time in my life, I’m at risk of losing my home. I’ve been actively applying for jobs, but with two broken arms, I understand the hesitations of potential employers—even though I can handle computer work with voice dictation. Despite these setbacks, I’m determined to heal, regain my independence, and find work.

I’m working hard in physical and occupational therapy, but I still cannot support weight on my left arm and am limited to just a few pounds with my right. I’ve paid faithfully into the state disability system since my first job, and despite my efforts to go to the top and engage my state representatives to access the benefits I’ve earned, I’ve been denied any disability benefits. As of right now, government, community, and nonprofit systems have failed me, and I must humbly ask for your support to get through this difficult time.

Why I Need Your Support

I hope to raise $3,000 to cover two months of rent while I focus on recovering through physical therapy and continuing my job search.

As a stretch goal, $5,000 would help cover rent and basic living expenses for two months, reducing the amount of debt I need to take on.

How the Funds Will Be Used

Rent: $1,425 per month

Living Expenses: About $600 to 800 per month for utilities, internet/phone, insurance, minimum payments on CCs, student loans, gas, groceries, and other essentials.

Medical Expenses: These include emergency room visits, surgery, physical and occupational therapy, and imaging (X-rays, MRIs). One MRI bill alone is over $1,200, and I expect more as bills arrive. Anything over my goal for rent and basic living expenses will help me cover these incoming bills as I try to negotiate them down.

The Impact of Your Contribution

Your generosity will help me keep a roof over my head and provide stability as I recover. It will relieve the financial strain and allow me to focus on healing and finding work instead of spending hours navigating government, insurance, medical providers, and nonprofits for support. Most importantly, your support will give me the hope and strength I desperately need to rebuild my life during this challenging time.

Sharing this campaign with your network would mean the world to me, even if you can't donate.

Together, I’m hopeful that we can turn this difficult chapter of my life into one of resilience and hope.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and generosity; it means more to me than you could know.

With immense gratitude,

Jaxon E. Travis