Help Jonathon Rebuild After a Spinal Cord Surgery

This is Jon's sister-in-law Julie Cajigas here, running this Go Fund Me for Jon. I will provide whatever updates I can about his journey.

Here is a letter from Jon himself:

Hi friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

Over the past few months, my life has taken an unexpected and overwhelming turn. What began as a strange weakness in my legs and numbness from the waist down quickly escalated into something much more serious - a diagnosis that changed everything overnight.

In July, I learned that I have an intramedullary cavernous malformation; a rare cluster of abnormal blood vessels deep within my spinal cord at the T9-T10 level. This lesion bled, damaging my spinal cord and causing nerve swelling, weakness, and loss of mobility. Despite initial treatment with high-dose steroids, my symptoms have worsened significantly in recent weeks. I’ve now lost all movement in my right leg, can only lift my left leg a few inches, and I cannot stand or walk on my own.

After urgent evaluations at Cleveland Clinic’s Neurological Institute, my surgical team, led by Dr. Mark Bain (Vascular Neurosurgery), determined that surgery is my best chance at preventing further damage and possibly regaining function. On Tuesday, August 12th, I am scheduled for a T9-T10 laminectomy and cavernoma resection, a high-risk procedure directly inside the spinal cord.

Why I’m Asking for Help

The road ahead will be long. Recovery from spinal cord surgery is measured in months and years, not days. While I’m grateful to have short-term disability coverage, it will only replace 60% of my income for 90 days ending in October 2025. The hope is to be able to return to work as a therapist by the end of October, but with so much uncertainty about my recovery, there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to resume my duties by then. This creates a significant risk of an income gap during an already challenging time.

Your support will help cover:

A Little About Me

For years, I’ve worked as a therapist helping people face their fears, overcome anxiety, and reclaim their lives. Now, I find myself having to practice what I’ve so often taught; accepting uncertainty, facing fear head-on, and trusting in the support of others. This is, without question, the hardest and most humbling challenge I’ve faced.

How You Can Help

If you’re able to give, any amount, no matter how small, will directly help me and my family navigate the months ahead. Even if you can’t contribute financially, sharing this campaign with others who might be able to help is just as valuable.

Your kindness means more than I can put into words. Knowing that I have a community behind me makes this journey feel a little less daunting. Thank you for reading my story, for your generosity, and for helping me hold onto hope for recovery.

With gratitude,

Jonathon