My name is Jon, and my husband Mitchell and I have been together for 17 years and married for almost 10. We’ve shared so much joy, love, and laughter together. But these past couple of years have been the hardest of our lives, and we’re doing something that doesn’t come easy to either of us: asking for help.

Our Story

In September 2023, Mitchell underwent a medical treatment involving anesthesia. Instead of a smooth recovery, he came home with new and lasting complications that changed our lives. Since then, Mitchell has lived with constant pain, new health complications like diastolic heart failure, and the emotional toll of trauma. Everyday life has become a fight:

I’ve stepped into the role of caregiver while also trying to keep our lives running — working, cooking, cleaning, managing bills, and navigating insurance. We’ve always been the ones to quietly carry our own burdens. But this time, we can’t keep going without help.

Why We’re Asking for Help

We’re facing:

We’re not asking for pity. We’re asking for a chance to catch our breath, get stable, and focus on healing instead of just trying to survive.

Why We Cannot Pursue Legal Action

Many people have asked if we’re pursuing a lawsuit. The truth is, we tried. Attorneys we spoke with explained that medical cases are extremely expensive to pursue, often requiring tens of thousands of dollars upfront just for expert witnesses and documentation. Mitchell’s case includes ongoing pain, trauma, and a reduced quality of life. Unfortunately, since it does not include the large financial damages the system prioritizes, no lawyer has been willing to take it on.

That leaves us without legal recourse, not because what happened wasn’t serious, but because the system makes it nearly impossible to move forward unless damages reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. This means we cannot rely on a legal settlement to help cover medical bills, accessibility, or lost income. And it’s why I’m here now, humbly asking for help.

Our 10th Anniversary

This October is our 10th wedding anniversary. Long before all of this, we planned a trip to Spain and a transatlantic cruise as a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Most of it was already paid for, and airfare was a gift from dear friends. I want to be upfront: this trip is not what your donations will go toward. That’s already covered. This trip is about holding onto something good in the middle of all this pain. A reminder of why we’ve fought so hard to stay standing.

Your support will go toward Mitchell’s care, accessibility, and keeping our lives together.

How You Can Help

Our Promise

We’ll use every dollar with gratitude and integrity. All funds will go toward medical, accessibility, and daily living costs.

From My Heart

I never thought I’d be writing something like this. For so long, we’ve carried our struggles quietly, believing it was better not to burden others. But the truth is, we are tired, scared, and overwhelmed. At the same time, we are still here. We are still fighting and maybe the bravest thing we can do right now is let people in.

As Mitchell always says, we are all spokes in the wheel. We all must do our part to help lift and support one another.

If you choose to support us — whether with a donation, by sharing, or by simply keeping us in your thoughts and prayers — please know you are helping us more than words can say.

With love and gratitude,

Jon and Mitchell