On October 2nd, while on a camping trip with my wife in southern Wisconsin, I fell 20 feet out of a tree. Mid-air, a branch shattered my nose into five pieces. When I landed, I fractured my left heel. The doctor said my heel looked like a hard-boiled egg rolled across a tabletop. I was put on medical leave from my job. I applied for unemployment and was denied by the State of Minnesota. I appealed that decision and was denied again. That process has taken nearly 3 months. I have been unable to work and have burnt up our savings.

To make matters worse, my wife was fired from her job because she forgot to punch out to bring me to one of my many doctor's appointments the week after I fell. She filed FMLA papers, but they ignored them. She was also denied unemployment. Another lengthy process. We have household and medical bills piling up and are at our wits' end trying to make ends meet.

Last month, I checked myself into Prairie St. Johns for depression. Today, we were served papers for collections. Our vehicle has been repossessed. I was able to afford a hug as a Christmas gift to my wife this year. I am hoping to go back to work as soon as I can, but until then, we are getting further behind on day-to-day living costs. Recently, I started selling personal belongings on Marketplace in a meager attempt to make it through the month. This is a 'hail-mary' style attempt to keep our heads above water. I have never been good at asking for help, but don't have many options anymore. My next option is standing on the corner asking for change, which with my foot will be difficult. Not to mention the cold temps outside...