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Help John Heal His Broken Hip & Battle Kennedy's Disease

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John, a devoted single father, is facing immense challenges after breaking his hip, leaving him unable to work for at least seven months as he recovers—making it especially difficult to provide for his 9-year-old son during this time. On top of that, he was recently diagnosed with Kennedy’s disease, a rare genetic and neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nervous system and voluntary muscle movement, making it increasingly difficult for him to perform the physical labor he once did. John has always been someone who pushes through adversity without asking for help, doing everything he can to provide for his son and overcome life’s hardships. But now, he is in desperate need of support. He urgently needs help covering recovery-related expenses—including medical supplies, mobility aids, and assistance—along with basic living costs and the possibility of relocating to be closer to family for much-needed support. Despite these hardships, John remains hopeful, focusing on his professional art, music, and recovery while striving to be the best father he can be. Any help—through donations, shares, or encouragement—will provide John with the support he needs to focus on healing, regain stability, and ensure he can continue being the best father to his son.

How You Can Help:

I’m asking for your support to help John with:

• Expenses related to his recovery, including medical and mobility aids that will help him heal and regain independence.
• Financial stability while he is unable to work, helping him maintain a more stable foundation for his son’s care, as well as navigating how to best prosper through the medical challenges.
• Potential relocation to be closer to much-needed support and aid.

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More of John's story below:

Hi everyone,

My name is Rich and I’m reaching out on behalf of my dearest friend John, whom I’ve known since the 3rd grade, who is facing incredibly tough and pressing struggles right now. He’s the kind of person who never asks for help and always pushes through, no matter what. But today, he truly needs support, and I want to do everything I can to help him and his son through this critical time. John has always been a beacon of light, spreading immense joy, love, encouragement, inspiration, and faith to so many, and now he desperately needs that same unwavering support, kindness, and strength to help him through this overwhelming season.

A Devoted Father Facing Unimaginable Challenges

Recently, John suffered a broken hip, and doctors shared that he won’t be able to work for at least seven months. Even before this, he was battling the earlier stages of what he recently discovered and was officially diagnosed as Kennedy’s disease, a neuromuscular condition that progressively weakens his muscles, making it increasingly difficult for him to maintain a traditional job he was already struggling to keep. Peripheral neuropathy in his foot has also shown increasing signs, causing multiple falls—even before this devastating injury.

On top of all this, he is a single father to an amazing nine-year-old boy who is his entire world. His biggest concern is keeping a roof over his son’s head and food on the table.
His income has already been severely impacted due to his condition, and with his current inability to work, he is struggling to meet even the basic needs for himself and his son. John has been highly considering moving closer to family for needed support, but being able to do so looks financially impossible to him.

Faith, Hope & Strength Through Creativity

One of the most remarkable qualities about John is his unwavering, unbreakable faith. No matter what he’s going through, he finds a way to stay hopeful, laugh, and make the most of each day. He has endured so much—losing both of his brothers to suicide just four years apart—and yet, he continues to push forward with incredible strength and the courage to persevere, no matter the obstacles in his path. His faith has carried him through heartbreak most of us can’t even imagine, and he continues to believe there is still purpose, allowing him to share his joy even in the most trying of situations.

A Skateboarding Lesson That Changed Everything

This past Christmas, John struggled just to walk up steps or get out of chairs. But when his son got a skateboard, he began teaching him how to ride. Unexpectedly, it became a form of physical therapy, helping John regain strength in his legs, while also giving his son the opportunity to experience the same joy he once had. It was a turning point—until one day, on the way to the park, John fell directly onto his hip and was emergency flown by plane to the nearest hospital for an emergency surgery.

Since then, he’s been recovering, realizing how dangerous it can be to push his body too hard and committing to finding safer ways to rebuild his strength. Above all, he wants to be the best dad he can be—to go on as many adventures as possible with his son, giving him a life full of love and joy, despite the challenges.

His Art & Music: Fighting for a Future Despite the Setbacks

Even before this injury, John was working hard to create a sustainable future. Kennedy’s disease was already making it difficult to work, so he had been pouring everything into his passion for art and music, doing his best to build multiple income streams.

John is an incredibly talented artist and had been planning to create how-to videos on:

Glass blowing
Woodworking
Life Casting
Resin Art
& Electroforming

Beyond that, John has been writing and recording an album about his journey with Kennedy’s disease and the struggles he has faced. His goal is to release it by the end of the year, hoping to inspire others going through similar experiences. He has already released music, art, and encouraging messages that have greatly helped others facing their own struggles, while many have reached out to share their stories and express gratitude for his ongoing determination to continue sharing his testimony and uplifting others.

John has been courageously documenting his journey on social media, sharing both his challenges, triumphs, and sense of humor to inspire others facing similar battles. He’s poured his heart and soul into building a future where he can stand on his own, support his son, and touch the lives of many others. But right now, he urgently needs a helping hand to get there.

He Will Keep Going, No Matter What

John is the kind of person who always finds a way to make things work—because that’s just who he is. Asking for help is incredibly difficult for him, as he’s always relied on his own strength and unwavering faith to survive. But now, more than ever, John truly needs support. With your kindness and generosity, he will receive the help he needs to keep moving forward and continue fighting for his family, healing, and future.

One of the most inspiring things about John is that, despite everything, he has made his health his top priority. He has now celebrated six months of sobriety because he knows his body needs every advantage it can get. Although he was only recently diagnosed, John had suspected for years—due to tremors, muscle cramps, and spasms—that he had Kennedy’s disease. Now that he knows for sure, he is fully focused on doing everything he can to adapt, push forward, and live most victoriously.

John also has art for sale, but I want to keep this fundraiser simple, as his main priority right now is ensuring he and his son have what they need to get through this challenging season.

Your donation would truly mean the world to John and his son. Simply sharing this fundraiser would also be an incredible help and deeply appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any support you can offer—whether it’s a donation, a share, or simply sending prayers and encouragement. John is one of the strongest, most resilient, kind, loving, creative, inspiring, talented, and courageous souls I’ve ever known. I just want to see him and his son make it through this, emerge even stronger, and continue to build the prosperous future they’re hoping for. Please consider helping in any way you can. God bless you, and thank you!
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $500
    • 19 hrs
  • Christopher Harms
    • $100
    • 2 d
  • Alexander D Agren
    • $50
    • 3 d
  • Sam Danny and Cooper Harris-Jacobsen
    • $300
    • 14 d
  • Donna Kimmel
    • $200
    • 15 d
Donate

Organizer and beneficiary

Rich Agren
Organizer
Makawao, HI
Jonathan Seiwell
Beneficiary

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