If you don't know me, I'm a professional drummer. I own and operate Ong Drum Studio, where I teach private drum lessons and record session work for artists. I also perform live shows to help pay the bills. On top of that, I work a night job so I can maintain health insurance to help cover my ongoing medical needs. Music isn't just my passion—it's my livelihood.

www.ongdrumstudio.com

I'm starting weekly shockwave therapy because I want to keep doing what I love. Right now, my condition is threatening not only my health but also my ability to teach, perform, and work. I have to walk up and down stairs one step at a time, and I live with constant shocking and stabbing pain that shoots from my heel into my calf. Every lesson I teach, every gig I play, and every shift I work is becoming more difficult. My hope is that these treatments will reduce the pain enough to keep me working while I continue fighting for my long-term health.

Over the past two years, I've been fighting severe Haglund's deformity, bone spurs, and damage to both of my Achilles tendons. In 2024, I was told surgery was my only option, but because of my weight, I would need to lose over 250 pounds before I could even qualify.

Instead of giving up, I committed to changing my life. Since July 2025, I've lost over 70 pounds, going from 436 pounds to 364 pounds, while continuing to work and teach drums despite constant pain.

Unfortunately, my condition has continued to worsen. Haglund's deformity is a painful bony enlargement on the back of the heel that constantly irritates the Achilles tendon. Every step hurts, and standing, walking, working, and playing drums have become daily challenges.

There is an advanced procedure available, but it costs around $6,000 per foot, which simply isn't possible for me right now. Instead, I've decided to start weekly shockwave therapy in hopes of reducing the pain and avoiding surgery for as long as possible.

Each treatment costs $200, and I'll need weekly sessions for at least 3–4 months, possibly longer—about $800–$1,000 per month.

This past week alone, after playing a show and working multiple overnight shifts, the pain has been so severe that I've barely been able to sleep. I can't afford to stop working, so I'm doing everything I can to keep moving forward.

If you're able to donate toward my treatment, I would be incredibly grateful. Every donation helps me continue teaching, performing, working, and fighting to avoid a major surgery. If you're not in a position to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for your kindness, encouragement, and support. Every donation and every share brings me one step closer to living with less pain. ❤️