My name is Amber Feathers, and I am starting this GoFundMe fundraiser for my father, Ronnie, who has been battling overwhelming medical issues while facing devastating personal hardships at the same time.

The past year—2025—has been one of the hardest of his life. Things have now reached a point of desperation and we are doing everything we can to help him survive and rebuild. With heavy hearts, we are turning to extended family, friends, and our community for support.

Dad’s medical journey began about five years ago when he started developing diabetic ulcers on his feet. He was later diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a progressive neurological condition that has caused severe deterioration of his muscles and bones—especially in his lower extremities. Because of this, Ronnie is primarily wheelchair-bound and can only take very limited steps in controlled settings.

For the past three years, he has been battling a diabetic ulcer on his left heel that simply will not heal, despite multiple weekly visits to an advanced wound care and hyperbaric medicine center. In January 2025, he was hospitalized for an infection in his left foot. In August, he was admitted again—this time for congestive heart failure and a mild heart attack. Unfortunately, his health continued to decline.

In September, Ronnie spent 11 days in the hospital for worsening congestive heart failure and was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease. He was told he would need dialysis three days a week for the rest of his life and started this part of his journey at that time. On December 2nd, he underwent surgery to place a catheter so he could begin peritoneal dialysis at home, along with a hernia repair. Just days later, on December 8th, he was once again admitted to Winchester Medical Center for another severe infection in his left foot.

This past week, doctors delivered devastating news: Ronnie has gangrene in his left foot, osteomyelitis in his left heel, septic arthritis in the joints of his left foot, and the infection has spread to his bloodstream—placing him at risk for septic shock. As heartbreaking as it is, this has left no option but amputation. Ronnie will need two surgeries to amputate his left leg. Due to the severity of the infection, the wound must be left open for five days before a second surgery can be performed to close it, significantly lengthening his recovery and rehabilitation.

As if his medical struggles weren’t enough, Ronnie and his wife, Dawn, are currently homeless and living in a rundown camper. Dad is unable to work due to his complex medical conditions. My mother is working nearly 60 hours a week while also trying to be his full-time caregiver—an exhausting and overwhelming responsibility. They have only one vehicle, which is unreliable and frequently breaks down.

Doctors and therapists have made it clear that after his extended hospital stay and rehabilitation, he will not be able to return to the camper. For his safety and health, he must have a clean, stable, one-level home—something they simply cannot afford on their own. Without help, they have no clear path forward.

When Ronnie is transferred to acute rehab, it will be about an hour away from his wife and children. Without reliable transportation or money for gas, even visiting him and providing emotional support will be incredibly difficult.

The goal of this fundraiser is to help Ronnie and Dawn secure stable housing for his return home, assist with transportation and travel expenses during his rehab, and relieve some of the financial burden so mom does not have to work herself to exhaustion. Our hope is that she can focus on supporting my father as he learns to heal, adapt, and live life as an amputee while on dialysis.

If you find it in your heart to donate, our entire family would be deeply grateful. We understand that times are hard and the holidays are right around the corner. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser. Every share and every dollar brings hope that we can help our father survive this unimaginable chapter and begin rebuilding his life.

Thank you for reading, caring, and supporting Ronnie in any way you can