Our pal Michael "Crabby" Crabtree needs your help!

Long time Ketchum and Boise, Idaho resident.  Michael has touched so many of our lives in a variety of ways.  In his 20's, Michael worked in the family business while guiding rafting trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River one many of  Idaho's most exciting rivers and if not there you could undoubtedly find him on the dance floor getting his groove on at any of the 100's of live concerts every summer.  Particularly if there was a Jam band like Phish or the String Cheese Incident on stage.  He spent many years on tour with the String Cheese Incident and has made 1000's of friends over the years with his contagious loving energy.  His passion for the many outdoor activities in Ketchum, Idaho like skiing, golfing and tennis, he was living the "good life" all while learning how to mature into the man he is today.

Life in his 30's, like most of us took a bit of a change.  Michael found himself starting a business as a painting contractor and had a successful run in that company for many years.  Much of the success came when he decided to get sober on March 12th, 1996.  Life couldn't get any better!   Sober, successful and exceptional health, Michael was living it up.  Unfortunately a bad skiing accident on Mt. Baldy in Idaho followed by many knee surgeries changed Michael's physical well-being for many years to come.  After months of physical therapy, his body didn't heal correctly and he has never really been the same. 

With a thriving business well into his 40's, Michael made the decision to continue working as a painting contractor, knowing that the physical demand and risk of injury might catch up to him in the future.  Although he knew his tenure in this industry had a timeline it was the best opportunity he had considering his many years of success doing so. 

Unfortunately, a recent accident at work sent him back to the hospital after a fall off a ladder left him with 2 broken ribs a collapsed lung, two herniated disks and a need for another knee surgery to hopefully make his life a little more bearable .  The ribs and lung have recovered, however the back and knee injuries are going to require surgery and many months of physical therapy before he can even begin to think about working again.  

To help offset some of his medical expenses, Michael has made a decision to sell off all of his painting equipment and many personal items to help him during this time of need.   While he is knowingly letting go of his main source of income by selling this equipment, undoubtedly his physical and emotional well-being will greatly benefit from this change after he recovers from surgery. 

That said, Michael needs our help! 

The heavy financial burden of medical expenses along with the many months of recovery time, Michael will be unable to earn an income for some time during this transition to a new career path.   While he will be actively pursuing new career options.  This time for him is very uncertain and any help that you can offer, whether it be financial or opening a door for him on his journey to a new career would be greatly appreciated. 

Michael has spent most of his adult life being of service to other men and women who have dealt with addiction and has helped 100's of people get sober over the years.  His commitment to his fellows is revered by many.  While he is not always good at asking for help himself.  He has reached out to others during this time of need and he has made the tough decision to walk away from a career that has brought him much success in the past to do what is best for his physical well-being moving forward.  

If you are at all capable of donating $5.00 great!  More even better! But we know that times are not easy so if you can not contribute money today can you at least share this with your friends, awesome! And lastly, if you can't do either of those could you please just keep Michael in your thoughts?  So, please let's get Michael the help he needs.

I speak for him when I say this, "Thank you so very much for your support and loving vibes during this difficult time in his life.  Peace!