Help Kay Heal: Hip Surgery Fundraiser

Hi, my name is Kay, and I’m reaching out with humility and hope as I prepare for a major hip surgery that’s been 13 years in the making.

In 2011, at just 17 years old, I enlisted in the Army National Guard through a program called Split Ops. I proudly began monthly weekend drills, and by June 2012, I was attending basic training. During week 7, while on a 10K ruck march, I experienced excruciating pain in my right hip. I was eventually diagnosed with a fractured femoral neck—a serious injury that changed the course of my life.

Because of the structure of my training program, I was sent home and placed in physical therapy. Despite my injury, I continued mandatory weekend drills, but my condition never improved. In October 2012, I was discharged with a DD220—an “uncharacterized” discharge—leaving me with no veteran medical benefits, no ongoing care, and no proper resolution for an injury that occurred while serving my country.

Since then, the pain has only worsened. I now live with numbness, limited mobility, and daily discomfort that affects my ability to manage everyday life and maintain a sense of stability for my family. Recently, a specialist ordered an MRI with arthrogram, which confirmed hip issues. I am now scheduled for hip arthroscopy surgery on October 3rd, 2025, where they will finally attempt to repair the damage that’s been left untreated for over a decade.

While this surgery brings hope, it also brings financial hardship. I don’t qualify for unemployment benefits, and my short-term disability will only provide $300 a week—just enough to cover rent, but not enough to keep up with other essential bills like utilities, insurance, my phone, or the gas I need to get my children to and from school.

I’m humbly asking for support from friends, family, and anyone who believes in helping those who’ve served and fallen through the cracks. Every dollar helps relieve the stress of this healing journey and allows me to focus on recovering, being present for my kids, and reclaiming a life without pain.

Thank you for reading, sharing, or donating—your kindness truly means the world to me.

With gratitude,

Kay