My name is Ray Mack. I am 32 years old. Some of you might know me from school, Facebook, or the gym. Some of you might know me from my costumes at music festivals and concerts such as Mojo Jojo, Lord Farquaad, or Ricky Bobby. Some of you may not know me at all. I appreciate you taking the time to read this.

On February 15th, 2025 I suffered a traumatic knee injury at a jiu jitsu competition. It was kind of a freak accident and wasn't something I could have submitted to. Just the wrong movement at the wrong time. You can go to this YouTube link ( https://youtu.be/aasCtcIkU94?si=sueuQyTdiSTS8ysb ) or YouTube search "AGF Columbus 2025 Mat 3" and scroll to time stamp 7:34:00 for the start of my match.

As a result of this injury I have a complete tear of my ACL, LCL, and a near complete tear of my PCL. I also suffered a fibular head avulsion fracture (the head of the fibula broke off and is now floating in the side of my knee) which resulted in severe peroneal nerve damage leaving me with severe drop foot. Basically I can not lift my foot up, or move it towards the outside of my body. Chances of regaining that movement are roughly 25%.

At this point I'm awaiting surgery on April 24, 2025 for a multiligament reconstruction as well as fibular fracture surgery. I will be in an external fixator for roughly 4 weeks after surgery, non weight bearing for 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, and (best case scenario) 4 to 6 months before I'm able to return to any sort of work and that will still be light duty. I will have to undergo extensive physical therapy and am looking at a roughly 12 to 16 month recovery time due to the nerve damage.

Unfortunately this happened at the end of the winter season before my work picks up. I generally save money throughout the year to get me through the slow months and have a few rainy day bucks. The slow winter and unfortunately having to replace my trucks transmission over christmas exhausted most of what I had saved, and then this happening at the end of winter exhausted the last bit of what I had between medical bills and being out of work for a month. I was given the ok to walk (more of a hobble) until surgery by the surgeon because, in his words, "I've already done all the damage I can, walking will not make it worse." So until I have surgery, I can at least do some light duty work and get some hours during the week depending on what I can physically handle pain wise and workload wise.

I've been able to get around 20 hours a week for the month leading up to surgery which has been just enough to cover my monthly bills and some food.

I have set this go fund me at $10k. I'm asking for this amount to help cover regular monthly bills, food, household necessities, and physical therapy copays for the 4 to 6 months ill be unable to work. Hopefully if there's any left I'll be able to get a decent AFO foot drop orthotic that will help in rehabilitation as well as allowing me to walk normal until the nerve reawakens (if it ever does)

I understand that by this point in my life I should have had other things and plans in place for something of this nature.

Regardless of the personal shame I feel for not being where I should be in life by now, and the personal shame I feel for asking for something like this, I am still left without a choice but to ask for help.

If you can find it in your heart to help me out via donation, I would be forever grateful. If you choose not to, I am grateful that you took the time to read this. I ask that you please feel free to share this link with anyone you like.

With all of my gratitude and thanks,

Raymond Mack

P.S. I would also be willing (prefer) to repay any donations when I can return to full duty work next year.