Hi, everyone. My name is Ricki Colvin, and I’m a proud father, husband, and a lifelong Floridian—your classic “kid of the '80s” who still blasts AC/DC and Led Zeppelin and never misses a Buccaneers or Lightning game. I’m a stay-at-home dad to two amazing kids, a full-time cheerleader for my hard-working wife and now… a fresh amputee trying to navigate a new reality.

What Happened?

In October 2023, I noticed a small cut on my foot. I thought it was just a minor callous I’d trimmed too far—nothing serious. Florida heat, Crocs, and dog hair made it worse over time (yeah, gross—I know). I didn’t realize it then, but I had a diabetic ulcer, and I neglected it for too long.

By January 2024, I finally went to the hospital. The pain was unbearable, the wound was infected, and I started treatment. For months, we tried antibiotics, wound care, and surgery. It seemed to get better… until it didn’t.

In October 2024, after multiple surgeries, my doctor had to remove a large part of my foot, including my pinky toe. I was stuck in the hospital while Hurricane Helene rolled through—my wife and kids weathered it alone. Despite home care and treatments, things only got worse.

In May 2025, I was admitted to the hospital again with a 106-degree fever and intense pain. The infection had spread too far. The doctors had to make the call: a below-the-knee amputation of my left leg.

How Life Has Changed

Recovery has been a wild ride—physically, emotionally, and mentally. I’ve always taken pride in being the rock at home. Now, I lean on my wife and kids more than ever. Our house is always full: two basset hounds, school and many unfinished or undone projects. But my family has shown me nothing but love and support. Without them, I’d be crushed.

I’m infection-free now. I’ve committed myself to staying healthy, rebuilding my strength, and treating this like the start of a new chapter. I haven’t stopped moving forward since the surgery. I get my prosthetic leg on July 14th, 2025, and I’m ready to start learning how to walk again—one step at a time. My doctor says with my attitude, I’ll master the prosthetic in 1 year Challenge accepted.

Why I’m Asking for Help

Our biggest need right now is to make our home safe and accessible—especially the bathroom. I want to reduce the physical and emotional burden on my wife, who is already doing more than I can put into words. We’re living on a tight budget, with my income only coming from Social Security right now.

I’ve seen the power of the internet, and how people can come together to support someone going through hard times. Now I’m asking for help—for the first time.

How Your Support Helps

Your donations will go toward:

Making our bathroom wheelchair- and prosthetic-accessible

Installing handrails, ramps, and safer flooring

Covering mobility-related costs not fully covered by insurance

Helping us breathe a little easier as we adjust to this new life

Any amount helps. Even sharing this page with your friends and family makes a huge difference. Thank you for reading, for caring, and for being part of this journey.

Let’s turn this new chapter into a powerful one.

— Ricki Colvin

(aka the Croc-wearing, sci-fi-loving, Magic-playing dad learning how to walk again)