My name is Jennifer Smith, I'm 48 years old. I hurt my left shoulder back in Nov. 2023. The first ortho surgeon I saw retired on me, so I found Dr. Benson with Tennova Orthopedics. I got an X-ray and MRI with contrast, then he confirmed a torn labrum in my shoulder. We scheduled surgery twice because his nurse didn't reach me for the pre-op appointment. We finally did that, then scheduled surgery for the 17th of July. The 17th comes, I go, and after I get in the car when it's over, Scott, my partner, tells me my arm isn't fixed, that it wasn't a labrum tear. Dr. Benson said some of my bone is broken off and that I might need a bone graft. It's a more invasive and risky surgery, and I need a specialist. There are two at the same place in Knoxville.

I go see Dr. Benson for a 2-week post-op on the 30th of July, and he tells me that if the specialist doesn't take my marketplace insurance, then I have to travel to Nashville. Long story short, I got a voicemail from Dr. Benson's office and a call from the specialist's office ready to schedule me for an appointment, and I have to go to Nashville.

I'm unemployed because my arm doesn't work at all, and my boyfriend is on unemployment and gets $200 because they're taking $100 out for back child support. I will probably have to travel there twice. I live in Louisville, TN. It's a 3-4 hour drive there, so 6-8 hours there and back. No way I can travel home the same day after surgery, so I would want to stay in a hotel.

If anyone can please find it in your heart to help me, I would not only appreciate it, I will pay it forward after I'm healed and get back to work. I love people and animals, and I would NEVER make a GoFundMe account for myself if I didn't really, really need it or had any other way. God bless. Thank you for listening and if you donate.