In November 2023, what began as a fun day at the bike park with his kids ended in a life-altering injury for my brother-in-law, Josh. He suffered 18 fractures in his ankle and foot—a devastating injury that has led to five surgeries, bone grafts, and years of chronic pain.

Josh has maintained focus on his children and has been able to return to work, however, still living with immense pain and very minimal mobility. He just started walking within the last year. My sister has been an incredible rock, working part-time while parenting their three beautiful children, and Josh has worked tirelessly in PT just to be able to walk. But after several years, the damage is severe. He is currently living with bone-on-bone arthritis, and most specialists have suggested his only options are to fuse the ankle or, eventually, face amputation.

By what we feel is truly a gift of grace, we found a specialist in San Francisco who offers a unique procedure called an Articular Cartilage Graft, or a "Bio-Ankle." Instead of using metal or plastic implants that have a limited lifespan, the surgeon will graft healthy cartilage from Josh’s knee into his ankle.

The hope behind this surgery is simple but profound: it could allow Josh to run, jump, and be the active, hands-on dad he so desperately wants to be for his kids (very active kids - 10 yr old son, 8 yr old son, 3 yr old daughter).

He has his 6th surgery scheduled for April 7. However, because this is a highly specialized procedure, none of it will be covered by insurance. Between the cost of the surgery, travel from Ventura to San Francisco, and the long road of recovery already behind them, the financial burden is more than my sister and brother in law can manage alone.

We are so incredibly grateful for the friends, family, and neighbors who have walked alongside them these past few years. Your emotional support has kept them going, and we are now humbly asking for your help to get Josh across this final finish line.

If you are able to donate, any amount will go directly toward the surgeon’s fee and the costs of getting Josh to San Francisco for this procedure. If you aren’t in a position to give, simply sharing this page or keeping Josh and his family in your thoughts and prayers means the world to us.

Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and for helping give Josh the chance to get back on his feet and back to his family.