I’ve always believed that if something is worth fighting for, you don’t give up. Over the last two years, I’ve done everything I could to avoid asking for help, but I’ve reached a point where I can’t do this alone.
In 2024, I was diagnosed with severe bone spurs and damage to both of my Achilles tendons. I was told that surgery was my only option, but because of my weight, I would need to lose over 250 pounds before I could even qualify. The surgery itself is highly invasive, requiring me to be under anesthesia, positioned on my stomach, and then spend 5–6 months recovering for each foot.
Instead of giving up, I committed to changing my life.
In July 2025, I began taking Ozempic and started focusing on my health. Since then, I’ve lost over 70 pounds, going from 436 pounds to 364 pounds. I kept pushing forward because I wanted to become healthy enough for surgery if I needed it.
Along the way, I explored every alternative I could afford. I tried shockwave therapy, which helped relieve some pain, but the treatment plan I was offered would have required 1–2 years of appointments at roughly $600 per month—an estimated $28,000 overall. That simply wasn’t possible financially.
Earlier this year, another orthopedic specialist recommended physical therapy first, followed by immobilization boots if necessary, with surgery only as a last resort. I continued working toward that goal.
Unfortunately, my condition has continued to worsen.
By June 2026, the pain had become constant. Walking down stairs is incredibly painful, and even lying down doesn’t always bring relief.
On July 9, 2026, I saw another specialist who performed new X-rays and an ultrasound. The news was devastating: my left Achilles tendon is on the verge of rupturing, and my right tendon is showing significant damage as well.
For the first time, I was offered a treatment that gives me real hope.
This specialist performs an advanced shockwave therapy procedure, combined with regenerative treatments when needed, designed to stimulate healing without major surgery. Unlike the previous treatment plan, this is intended as a single procedure with only 1–3 days of recovery instead of months. It offers the possibility of repairing the tendon before it tears completely and allowing me to return to normal life much sooner.
The cost is approximately $6,000 per foot.
Right now, my priority is saving my left foot before the tendon ruptures. If it tears, my recovery becomes dramatically more difficult, and surgery may become unavoidable.
Surgery is not a realistic option for me today. I still don’t meet the weight requirements, I could be unable to work for up to a year during recovery, and I don’t have someone who can provide around-the-clock care while I heal.
I’m asking for help raising $6,000 to pay for the procedure on my left Achilles tendon.
This isn’t just about relieving pain. It’s about protecting my ability to work, continue losing weight, keep teaching, stay independent, and avoid a much more serious injury. I want to get back into the gym. I want to walk without thinking about every step. I want to run again someday. Most of all, I want my life back.
If you’re able to donate, no matter the amount, I will be incredibly grateful. If you can’t contribute financially, sharing this fundraiser with others would mean just as much.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for helping me take the first step toward getting back on my feet.