Lend a Hand For Joe Hughes' Lost Foot

You might know Joe Hughes as Joe from Portland, or Joe & Lulu (his beloved Nissan Leaf) from Lulu’s Leaf Life Lessons. Or you may know him as the former Joe Hubris from his content blog in the 2000s, Did he help you buy your first EV? Or, perhaps you’ve bought or been given one of the fair-use, reproduction championship rings from the collection of Joey Rings, Esq. We have known Joe variously, through these accomplishments, through the good times and through the bad. Now, Joe needs help and we’re here to ask you to pitch-in.

In March of this year, after struggling with the disease for two decades, Joe’s left foot was lost to diabetic neuropathy. The surgery went well, and Joe is considered an “excellent” candidate for a prosthetic. The preparation and fitting for which were supposed to be completed by June or July at the latest. Unfortunately, due to a pair of missteps by his medical providers, Joe will be confined to a wheelchair an additional 4-5 months while waiting until November at the earliest.

Joe is living in the Astoria area with an old friend, Susan Simonson. Unfortunately, the additional time confined to the wheelchair, puts Joe at risk of becoming homeless, and endangers getting the prosthetic itself.

We’ve each added our own feelings below. Joe’s desire to get back to work cannot be extinguished. Your help is critical to getting through this difficult episode.

Joe thanks you, and so do we.

--Betty Brink, Jay Donnaway, Mark Enderle & Jeannie Sisson, Tom Hinds, and Magnus Mattias

"When Joe came back home in 2019, I was working 2 jobs and 7 days a week. Joe helped me find my first EV: a 2016 Kia Soul EV. He spent so much time hunting online for me, calling dealerships and owners, taking test drives, and doing much of the leg work. In the end, I only needed to spend one afternoon looking at two cars before I made my choice. He has always been there to lend a hand ever since. Now it’s our turn. He’s not giving up and I’m going to be there for him until he gets back on the road."

--Betty Brink

Jeweler and Local Community Den Mother

"What can I say about Joe? When he realized Nissan Leaf Owners had no supply of replacement batteries, he enlisted his boss, my boss, myself, Scott Waddle from Precision Auto Repair in British Columbia, and Megan Maier, the attorney, activist, and former oil executive to find them one. After he parted ways with his former boss, he doggedly kept at it, doing all the heavy lifting despite being the only member of the group who wasn’t getting paid. He is a valuable member of SEVA, and he and Lulu are amongst the most widely traveled driver and electric vehicle there is. We need Joe out there, on the road. I urge you to do whatever you can to help this important member of the EV Community get back on his feet… er, his foot."

--Jay Donnaway

Resource Conservation Manager, Tacoma Power

Co-Founder, EV-Works.com

President, Seattle EV Association

"Jeanie and I never know what new project Joe will be undertaking, but what we do know is that whatever it is, it’s going to be something in the public interest. When Joe and I met, working as political canvassers, his commitment to the issues was never in doubt. He was a Groomsman in Jeanie and my wedding. Having just moved to the east coast, he took a cross-country bus trip to be in attendance. Over the years, we’ve had our disagreements--over sports mainly--but he has remained a true friend and we will be doing whatever we can to help him out. We urge you to do the same. "

--Mark Enderle & Jeannie Sisson

Long-time friends

“We’re rallying together to extend a helping hand to our dear friend Joe, who recently underwent a life-altering amputation while also suffering other health issues. I’ve known Joe since college, and he’s been one of the most passionate, insightful people I’ve ever met. He’s helped to drive the green revolution forward through his work extending the lives and ranges of electric cars. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in Joe's life. Thank you for any help you can provide Joe to empower him on his journey to new independence and a fulfilling life post-amputation.”

--Tom Hinds

University Strategic Planning and Communications Director

"For all the years I've known Joe, they've always been a good friend, a good person, and a kind and giving person. Now, they need someone to give to them. They have been supportive of my art and music, and they were instrumental in helping me to recover from my struggles with health and wellness issues and for that alone, nevermind our friendship, I'm am deeply grateful. Please contribute to this cause and show your support by sharing the link. Thank you."

--Magnus Mattias

Philly Musician and Artist

What we’re asking for is seven months of living expenses, needed repairs and maintenance for Lulu, money to buy a lighter-weight wheelchair, and to cover any insurance gap in the cost of a prosthesis. As well as some unallocated funds in the event something unexpected comes up.

The total comes to around $20,000.

UPDATE: Here's how the goal was calculated:

7 months of living expenses: 1,344 x7 $ 11,484

Rent 650 x7 $ 4,550 `

Phone 62` x7 $ 434

Car insurance 128 x7 $ 896

Utilities etc 88 x7 $ 616

Recurring expenses 600 x7 $ 4,200

Food: 100 x7 $ 700 `

Lightweight Better wheelchair: $ 699

Additional monies to cover any ins,. Gap $ 5,000

Lulu: $ 1,589

New Tires(Goodyear ElectricDrive) $ 833

Used headlight assembly(part No,26060-5SA5C) $ 399

New Battery (optima yellow top 51R $ 289

Bake pads(Power Stop Front Z17 Evolution $ 68

Unallocated: $ 1,700

TOTAL $ 20,472