Hello World!

My name is Michael and I was born with something called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. However, the common term is just called, "Arthrogryposis".

Arthrogryposis is a congenital muscle disease. It is something that one is born with, and affects the joints. Everyone that is born with Arthrogryposis affects them differently. In my case, I was born with Arthrogryposis in the lower extremities. I have bilateral dislocated hips; a fused left knee, with a hairpin gait, (which basically means my left leg does not bend); a right knee with about 35 degrees of flexion, (meaning I can only bend my right leg 35 degrees); and abnormal muscle development in both legs, (my leg muscles are very weak and never grew at the proper rate). Both my legs are incredibly thin with visible, non-muscle development.

Being born disabled, I’ve used crutches for the vast majority of my life. (Literally since I was 3 years old). Though I can walk short distances without my crutches, I truly depend on my crutches or my wheelchair to move around. I did get a wheelchair 2 years ago, and I continue to use my wheelchair more and more each passing day.

With that said, two years ago I also received an operation on my right ankle to help ease my pain. The cartilage between my Tibia & Fibula and my ankle had worn away. So every time I walked, it was just pure, bone on bone pain. But because it was such a major surgery that put me out of full commission for 6-7 months, I had to wait at least a full year until I received surgery on my other ankle.

Though it has been longer than a year, that time has finally come. I was already exasperated by the bone-on-bone pain 2 years ago, but having to go another 2 years on my left ankle without surgery, without any type of true medicine to ease the pain in that left ankle, has been truly agonizing. Leaving me in tears at the end of many days.

Now, knowing that I was getting surgery again, I tried my best to be prepared. I don’t make a lot of money, so I saved what I could, when I could. And I continued to sell personal items as well to help offset what I thought my bills would approximately be.

Sadly, and embarrassingly, things didn't equal out. Two years ago, I was in the hospital for a week. I thought that was a long time. This time around, when you add up both hospital time and inpatient rehab, it came out to two full weeks; this totally caught off guard. But this is because my left leg and ankle are also much weaker than my right. Also, my left leg doesn’t bend, which made inpatient rehab absolutely necessary because balance is so difficult for me as it is. And the icing on the cake being my insurance changed a year ago, (not in a good way), making this more expensive than previously. In short, though I was able to save a lot of money on my own to have my operation, I desperately need to raise $5,100 to pay for the rest of my medical needs.

For anyone who knows me, knows that I don’t see myself as “different”. They know that I only have “needs” unless I truly need help. (Up and down stairs, trying to carry something, etc.,.) But otherwise, they treat me like everyone else. And that is why it pains me to ask the world for help. Extremely embarrassing.

I really tried to save and predict how my surgery finances would play out. But being inpatient for 2 full weeks, and a different insurance policy, was not part of my algorithm. Therefore, this financial hardship from my left ankle surgery is just too overwhelming and an extreme financial burden. …Regrettably, I have nowhere else to turn but here.

If anyone reading this has the ability to donate, I would truly be eternally grateful.

PLEASE share/repost, please pass on to friends neighbors/whoever, and please just help me if you can. Again, I’m looking to raise $5,100 for my medical needs.

I am so embarrassed to ask, and will humbly be honored in whatever way you can help. I truly mean that.

Thank you so much for considering, I really appreciate it.

Warmest Regards,

Michael