Help My Dad, — A Hardworking Man Facing His Toughest Battle

My name is Michaela, and I am raising funds for my dad, Mike — the strongest, most hardworking man I know. His entire life has been about sacrifice and loyalty to his family.

Growing up, I watched my dad work multiple jobs to make sure I had everything I needed. In 2006, he moved his family to Wyoming where he worked long hours in the oilfield. His dedication to both his job and his family was unprecedented. He often had to sacrifice time at home and miss important milestones, not because he wanted to, but because he was determined to provide and create a better life for us.

In August of 2022, my dad, Mike, suffered a devastating fall while stepping down from the bed of a truck in Texas. The impact shot through his spine, leaving lasting injuries. He reported it immediately, but instead of care and concern, he was told to finish a list of tasks before leaving. That moment changed everything.

It has now been 37 months since his fall. For 19 of those months, Mike lived in pain, waiting for worker’s comp to approve his first surgery. In that time, his body deteriorated — he lost muscle in his legs, couldn’t play with his two young sons, and went through countless doctor visits, MRIs, X-rays, and misdiagnoses. By the time he was finally able to get help, so much precious time had already been lost.

After the accident, his doctor put him on light duty. But the company he worked for didn’t follow those medical restrictions. Instead of honoring the doctor’s instructions, they pushed him beyond what his injured body could handle. Finally, in December of 2023, after months of struggling and not being heard, they let him go. For a man who has worked every day of his life, losing his job this way was devastating.

Since 2024, Mike has undergone three back surgeries. The first two brought no relief. In July 2025, nearly three years after his fall, he finally had a full disc removal and spinal fusion — the surgery that should have been done from the start. But instead of bringing healing, this surgery has left him in even worse pain. Recovery has been brutal, and he continues to endure nerve pain, muscle spasms, and daily struggles that most people can’t imagine.

Despite everything, my dad still pushes himself for his family. He forces himself to walk with his boys to the grocery store or post office, even though it leaves him in excruciating pain and takes days to recover afterward. His strength isn’t just in what he’s survived — it’s in the love he continues to show his children, his wife, and those around him.

Why We Need Help

The fight with worker’s comp has left Mike drained emotionally and financially. He is now facing the reality of permanent disability, unable to return to the work he dedicated his life to. Since December of 2023, he has had no source of income. Donations will go directly toward:

Helping with daily living expenses since he cannot work

Future specialty visits for continued care

Creating a future college fund for his boys, so they have opportunities he never had

How You Can Help

Any donation, no matter the size, will make a difference in Mike’s life. If you’re unable to give, please consider sharing his story. Together, we can help lift the burden off his shoulders and give him the support he has more than earned.

From the bottom of my heart — thank you.