Car accident Living expenses & Medical not covered

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Short version

Hello, my name is Joe Clark, and this might be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do- I'm asking for your help.

My health has recently taken another turn for the worse following my accident. I have been diagnosed with stage three kidney disease which has led to congestive heart failure. As a result of high doses of Advil needed to survive and deal with the pain and inflammation for the last six years from a serious car vs truck accident I was in that wasn’t my fault…

I had always been an extremely active person with fitness: running, biking, lifting, taking care of my body. I have done construction with my family since I was 10 years old and began working full-time as a carpenter in 1996. I had just purchased a low mileage new to me work truck, was making a good living, and life was good - living my best life - until my accident 6 years ago.

A woman, who I think was texting and driving, hit me at around 40-50MPH and T-boned my truck in the driver side door. Plowing my #7000 truck 20 feet sideways across the road, I was left with several severe injuries. Until recently I didn’t know the full severity of the accident. It resulted in crushing all the cartilage in my left hip and right knee, an extensive tear in my hip labrum, chipped ball of my hip joint, hip flexor and hamstring tendon/ligament tears, a completely torn ACL and torn MCL & PCLl in my right leg, and multiple soft tissue injuries. I also sustained a severe concussion, whiplash, and tore both rotator cuffs.

Shortly after the accident, I could only afford to treat 1 of my many injuries- I chose my shoulder, as it was vital to my ability to keep working. I was in physical therapy for a yr, selling off every asset I could to afford further treatments while keeping a roof over my head. Unfortunately, the bulk of my injuries were not treated due to the exponential cost of medical care and simply trying to keep a roof over my head and food on the table.

Mid 2023, I finally got health insurance again and received an MRI. I learned the severity of my hip/knee injuries and understood why it has been so difficult for me to simply function, much less walk, sleep, or live a quality of life or the lifestyle I once enjoyed. My injuries had only worsened over the years: instability in my leg and hip have led to severe pain and edema in my knee, lower leg, and foot. To be able to function every day, I had to take 16-20 Advil a day to lessen the pain and inflammation.

However, this necessity to take 16-20 Advil a day has caused stage 3 kidney disease- which caused the fluid building in my heart has put me at high risk for heart attack or stroke with my blood pressure for three years, which has now put me in congestive heart failure. These both have a mortality rate. These are both incurable with conventional medicine. They are only treatable. Stem cell therapy is the only thing that can drastically improve both of these diseases.

I also suffer with post trauma tremors in my hands from the major concussion of the accident and 3 previous concussions 1 work-related, which can lead to Parkinson’s as time continues.

I rely on multiple knee braces and a hip brace, have tried all pain-relieving balms, creams and CBD gummies, but nothing takes the pain away. And I won’t take narcotics. I’ve recently gotten Cortisone shots in both my left hip and my right knee, which has gotten me more mobile than I have been in the last six years and greatly reduced the pain and swelling. But unfortunately, that is only a temporary solution. Doctors have suggested replacing my left hip and my right knee. However, that is not feasible, as I would be out of work for a minimum of 8 months because of the additional injuries around the joints.

A solution that would be life-changing for me is stem cell therapy: treatment that would only take me out of work for limited time and greatly reduce my pain, as well as helping heal my heart, kidneys, and joint injuries. However, insurance doesn’t cover the time off work or the stem cell treatments, so I can’t do this alone. With your help I would be able to work to my full abilities, go back to my healthy lifestyle, and finally regain the quality of life that I have longed for the past six years.

The purpose of this GoFundMe is to help me get the medical treatment that I desperately need. I am asking for $50,000, which would break down as follows: $30,000 towards stem cell therapy (about $12,000 per injection, one on my hip and one on my knee, and the remaining $6,000 for IV injections for overall healing) and $20,000 would go to cover bills for the projected downtime from surgeries on my ACL, MCL, meniscus in my right knee, and to repair the labrum in my left hip and associated cartilage. Anything above this would go towards replacing the truck I lost and additional medical treatments, such as an umbilical hernia.

I continue to work as a carpenter today to support myself, but my life has forever changed since my accident. The pain I face, the difficulty walking and the financial burdens remind me every day of what happened. I thank God to have the support of friends and family, but I need help from the community.

Above is a photo of me and my two sons not long before my accident. Back when I was physically well and able to do what I love with the people I love. Thank you in advance for helping me get back to who I once was and for your continued support!

Joe Clark

Long version that goes into all the details. And for those that care to read the full version…

Hi for those of you that don’t know me my name is Joe. And I need your help! The picture above is my former self with my 2 sons before the serious truck accident I was in 6yrs ago that has dramatically turned my life upside down. I’m a carpenter and remodeling contractor. The accident has not only greatly impacted the quality of my life, But also my livelihood, and lifestyle…. This has turned my life upside down and wouldn’t be asking unless I really needed your help!

This is probably the hardest thing I’ve had ever to say, and the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do! I’ve struggled with this decision for six years, But unfortunately I have finally come to a point where I have to swallow my pride and ask for help. Help for treating my injuries, that have been left untreated since the accident, and try to get my quality of life back. Back to the active lifestyle that I used to live and thrive on… The woman that was texting and driving and T-Boned me has robbed me of the quality of my life …

Some of you may have noticed a change in my disposition since my accident Or my difficulty walking… I just want to let you know it’s nothing personal and that I’m in constant pain and the injuries have greatly impacted the quality of my life… I’ve been trying to hide the pain and hide my injuries from everyone. I didn’t want people knowing how bad it was. I’ve been pushing through and powering through the pain for the last 6 years. It’s gradually gotten worse each year. I’ve been taking an excessive amount of Advil (12 a day) to mask the pain and inflammation. Not the best idea as it has put me at stage 3 kidney disease… But I had to keep moving and keep working. Construction is my livelihood! After my accident I was hoping to be in a much better place both physically and financially, but I didn’t know the full extent of the damage done until recently when I finally had MRI’s. I have been trying so hard to pushed through and power through the pain for six years. With my pride I don’t like asking people for help… Nor do I like to show weakness… That’s not me and not my style… I have struggled with this decision for 6 years and I have unfortunately and finally come to a place where I have to swallow my pride and I have to ask for help.

The woman that hit me I believe was texting and driving and T-boned me in my drivers door of my truck at about 40- 50mph was underinsured. She also claimed she wasn’t working. I believe to avoid a civil suit. I found out recently that she lied about not working, But the case was settled before I found this information. The accident totaled my best truck and work truck that was worth about $30,000. I just had the truck shipped here from Oregon 6 months prior. And unfortunately the only truck I didn’t sell off is in need of many repairs. But at this point, I’m mostly concerned about getting myself fixed. I only received a $9,000 settlement after my attorney was paid. And all of the $9,000 and then some went towards medical bills, food on the table, and keeping a roof over my head as I was out of work for about a year… Unfortunately, because of my love of older trucks I did not carried underinsured motorist coverage because insurance companies will only give you bluebook value regardless of the real value of the vehicle you’re driving. I never thought I would get this hurt in such a big truck. I’m trying to move on beyond the accident and past my injuries, But I’ve been struggling physically and financially since then especially given all the circumstances. It’s hard to do that when it so deeply affects every fabric of your life in a negative way every day. I guess you would have to walk a mile in my shoes to completely understand…. Yes I am working every day, But I am not at the same capacity I was before the accident. Which is not helping my financial recovery and in turn is affecting my ability to having my injuries treated. I was out of work for about a year after the accident while I was in physical therapy for my shoulder because I could not raise my arm. When I first went into the doctor and they examined me, they asked me which injuries I wanted to start on. I had chosen my one shoulder first, because it’s hard to be a carpenter if you cannot raise your arms. I figured I would have the rest of my injuries examined and treated after I got through that portion. But unfortunately, I ran out of money and lost my health insurance because I wasn’t working and could no longer afford the premium. Even after selling off everything I could. So after they treated my shoulder, they cut me off from further doctors appointments, examinations, and physical therapy I’ve been trying to power through these injuries for six years not knowing the full extent of my injuries. With them being left untreated they have not gotten any better, but only worse. It’s had a great negative impact on the quality of my life. All while struggling to keep a roof over my head during this difficult time…

I finally obtained health insurance again mid 2023. At the time no amount of over the counter pain killers would work anymore. I tried everything from excessive amounts of Advil/Tylenol combination, every pain relieving cream/balm under the sun, and CBD creams and gummy‘s nothing was working anymore to kill the pain and reduce the swelling. I will not take narcotics. Never have and never will. During this period of about six months or more I was not really able to physically work on the jobs and I went back to the doctors. I finally after 6 yrs I had MRI’s and through my MRI’s I discovered the full impact of the accident on my body and why I was in so much pain and constant pain. Pain to the point I could hardly walk, work, or even sleep at night. I was told my injuries were as the following.

The impact into my drivers door at about 40-50mph and plowing my #7000 truck 20 feet

1. Crushed all the cartilage in my left hip from the impact in the drivers door. Basically it was like her bumper hit me at 40- 50mph in my hip.

2. I have an extensive tear in my labrum which is a cartilage that holds your hip ball into the socket

3. I have a big chip of bone missing from the ball portion of my hip joint that is floating around in the joint

4. Tears in my hip flexor tendons/ligaments

5. Tears in one of my hamstring tendons/ligaments that attaches to the hip

6. It crushed most of the cartilage in my right knee, because my leg was locked out on the accelerator when she hit me. I saw her coming and was trying to accelerate past her

7. I have a completely torn MCL in my right knee from the impact and my leg being locked out.

8. I have a completely torn ACL in my right knee from the impact and my leg being locked out.

9. The PCL in my right knee is compromised from the impact and my leg being locked out.

10. My meniscus is crushed/torn in my right knee from the impact and my leg being locked out.

11. There are other soft tissue injuries in my right leg/knee as result of the impact. If everything else isn’t enough…

12. The instability in my left hip and my right knee are now causing me back problems as well.

13. I had sustained a severe concussion and whiplash which lasted for about six months or more after the accident

14. I had stretched and torn, all the ligaments and tendons, in both elbows, wrist, and shoulders from hanging onto the steering wheel to brace for the impact when I saw her coming at me. She never hit the brakes.

15. I tore both rotator cuffs from hanging into the steering wheel. I felt my truck was going to roll over, and I was going to get thrown out the passenger window.

16. I injured my lower back from the impact

17. The swelling in my knee from my injuries causes edema (severe swelling and fluid build up) in my lower leg and foot

Please keep in mind that right up until the accident I was able to and was running 3 to 5 miles once or twice a week. On the days I didn’t run I biked 10 or more miles hard averaging 19 mph plus up and down hills on my 40-year-old Trek touring bike. And I was hitting the weights 5 to 6 days a week and back to lifting similar poundages I did in my late teens and early 20s. Since my accident all of that has stopped, which is also having a greatly negative impact on my health and my life. I desperately need and want to get back to lifestyle I was living and enjoying before all this happened… And I was doing all of this without any issues prior to the accident. And my other hip and knee are perfectly fine with no issues…

Since my accident I have put on 60 to 80 pounds which has also greatly impacted my health. I’m not able to work out and exercise like I was before my accident. Combine that with the amount of stress I’ve been under because of the impact to me financially I’m not in good health. Again I am still working, and I need to continue to work to survive. I am still providing the same quality of work as I was before, but not at the same capacity… Thank God I do have some help, but my presence is still needed daily in the field and on the jobs. I get up every day and put 2 knee braces on my right knee, a brace on my hip, and one over my umbilical hernia that quadrupled in size 5 yrs ago after a serious respiratory infection. The accident didn’t do it any favors either and increased it in size. That too needs to be operated on eventually…

I’ve recently gotten Cortizone shots in both my left hip and my right knee which has gotten me more mobile than I have been in the last six years and greatly reduced the pain and swelling. But unfortunately, that is only a temporary solution. Before that, within the last year I could hardly walk from my family room to my kitchen or from my truck into the job site.

One of the doctors I spoke to wanted to replace my left hip and my right knee. But that is all he does… But that is not a reality or feasible for me as I will be out of work for a minimum of 8 months because of the additional injuries around the joints. And I would be in physical therapy that whole time. Nor do I feel it’s appropriate to replace the joints as my joint surfaces are in good shape minus all the cartilage missing, and all the tears in the soft tissue. My other hip and knee are good shape and good for another hundred thousand miles with no issues or problems at all…

I’ve been researching stem cell therapy and found that Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Colombia are 10 years ahead of the USA in stem cell therapy. And I’ve been told that by doctors here too. With proper stem cell therapy I would be out of work for limited time. Maybe only as much as a few weeks.

So the purpose of this GoFundMe is to help me get the medical treatment that I desperately need to regain my quality of life. About $30,000 of the money would go towards the stem cell therapy. The $30,000 breaks down as follows. About $12,000 per injection (1 hip 1 Knee) and the remainder about $6,000 would be for IV injections for overall healing. The other $20,000 would go to cover bills for the projected downtime from surgeries on my ACL, MCL, and meniscus in my right knee. And down time form surgery to repair the labrum in my left hip and associated cartilage.

Insurance doesn’t cover stem cell therapy. Or time off of work….

In addition to my joint injuries, I'm in stage 3 kidney disease from taking too much Advil the last six years to deal with the pain and injuries for my accident. So my kidneys do not function or filter out all the fluid in my body. My kidneys are only functioning at 50%. That has caused fluid to build up in my kidneys and the rest of my body including my heart. This has caused me to have extremely high blood pressure for a few years now since my accident... I've been at high risk for heart attack or stroke level with my blood pressure for at least three years. My doctor feels that my kidney disease has now put me in congestive heart failure. The test they do for congestive heart failure is called the BMP a normal BMP is 125. Mine was at 2200... This has a mortality rate of 27% in 1 yr, 62% in 5 yrs, And 82% in 10 yrs.

I have also had post trauma tremors in my hands since the accident. I really haven't shared that with anybody or told anybody except for maybe a few recently. It comes from major concussions. The accident was the one that pushed me over the edge. Especially after three major concussions prior to that. One from my work fall of 2 stories off a house, and two from being rear-ended in my truck at a high rate of speed prior to this major accident. I can appear to function normally. It hasn't affected my ability to work as of yet, but it is getting gradually worse... It's difficult for me to eat soup with a spoon or balance food on my fork... I'm hoping it doesn't get much worse, but it started right after the last accident and has gotten gradually worse. This can lead to Parkinson's down the road... The stem cell therapy can improve all of this not just with my joints, but my heart and kidneys too... These are some of the reasons why the stem cell therapy is so important to me...

Please donate as much or as little as you can. For example I have just under 1,500 friend on Fb. If everyone was able to donate on average at least $25-$35 That would potentially help me easily reach my goal. I know that some people may be able to donate more, and some people may be able to donate less, but every donation is greatly appreciated…!!! My daughter, my boys, and supporters are putting on a fundraiser for me. Fundraising event will be held at Shotzy’s country bar in Oconomowoc. April 14th. https://facebook.com/events/s/jammin4joe/1395329727766871/

Thank you in advance for helping me in this journey to health and wellness again!!!

Joe