Help Michael Heal After Surgery

Hi, I'm Michael. I’m a creative coach, musician, and educator—and one thing I’m learning right now is that asking for help is part of healing.

What Happened

In the month leading up to surgery, my health kept declining. I was exhausted, couldn’t keep food down, and had to cancel coaching sessions I was genuinely excited about. I wasn’t sleeping. I was losing weight, strength, and focus. Eventually, I had to stop taking on new work altogether.

On July 2, I had major surgery to treat a long-standing case of Crohn’s disease. Since then, recovery has been intense. Most days, I’ve been confined to the couch. I can’t stand for long, my movement is limited, and the pain comes and goes in unpredictable waves. Even speaking for more than a few minutes wears me out. My surgeon just recommended at least five more weeks of rest.

I’ve done everything I can to stay afloat: cutting costs, pausing projects, even trying to pick up remote work when possible. But at this point, I can’t keep pushing through on fumes. I need time to heal fully.

Why I’m Fundraising

I’m raising $25,000 to cover three months of essential expenses:

This will help cover:

Your support will give me the time and stability I need to recover without spiraling into long-term debt.

Ways You Can Help

If you’re able to contribute, I’d be deeply grateful.

If you can’t give financially, there are still meaningful ways to help:

Some of you have already sent support privately. I can’t tell you how much that meant. Thank you for seeing me and showing up without being asked.

This isn't easy to write, but I'm trying to receive care the way I’ve always tried to offer it.

Thank you,

Michael