Most of you know that we have endured the worst two years of our lives. As I was walking down the front steps of our home, I tripped and fell, shattering my knee and breaking my hand in three different places. I required surgery and spent eight weeks trying to recover. Debbie nearly lost her life and spent eleven long months in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Four different hospitals told us her leg could not be repaired, and multiple orthopedic surgeons agreed. We were told she would likely lose her leg—and possibly her life. Dr. Ryan O’Leary at UCSD was able to repair her leg. When the other hospitals said she would lose her leg, Dr. O’Leary assured us, “Not on my watch.” Her surgery lasted more than nine and a half hours. She came through it with her leg—and most importantly, with her life.

Those eleven months were the most grueling of Debbie’s life. She had to learn to walk all over again. It was incredibly difficult, but she fought with strength and determination. I never left her side, and I am so proud of her courage. After eleven months, she finally came home. Rehab continued, and she steadily grew stronger. In 2025, Debbie’s coronary artery disease progressed into congestive heart failure. She was hospitalized three times this past year and is still not stable. Along with the heart failure, she has developed severe anxiety and panic attacks. These attacks have also landed her in the hospital three additional times because we feared it was her heart. Her medications are not fully covered by insurance, and the copays are extremely high. The cost of her portion alone is overwhelming each month.

Unexpectedly, 50% of my income was also reduced due to the head-on collision that caused my Traumatic Brain Injury in 2008. Despite being a Veteran, there are no assistance programs available to us here in California. We cannot afford to stay here, and we cannot afford to move. And truthfully, I don’t think Debbie could leave her precious grandbabies. We have asked for help and simply have nowhere left to turn. That is why I am starting this GoFundMe. If you can find it in your heart to help us, any donation—no matter the amount—would mean more than we can express. Most of all, please pray for us.