Hey there, friends and loved ones of Sam – Josh & Emily here. We're writing to ask for support for our brother as he navigates some health challenges that have emerged in the past year.

In the spring of 2024, Sam was in the ER multiple times with unexpected cardiac issues, logging repeated events of ventricular tachycardia that would cause him to lose consciousness. He was unable to work, and temporarily moved to Iowa to live with family and receive medical care. In the intervening months, we've learned that the root cause of Sam’s health issues is a neck injury—a severe misalignment of his C1 & C2 vertebrae has caused damage to nerve pathways, supportive ligaments and soft tissues. This misalignment has led to excruciating neck and back pain, heart problems, debilitating migraines, brain fog, memory issues, chronic fatigue, vision problems, tinnitus, limited range of motion, partial blockage of cerebrospinal fluid circulation to and from his brain, as well as partial blockage of blood circulation to & from his brain. It’s been a heck of a year.

Early in 2025, there was a positive breakthrough in his care, when we discovered the existence of Upper Cervical Chiropractic (UCC), NUCCA and Atlas Orthogonal (AO) providers. These doctors practice a hyper-specialized form of care, focusing on ultra-precise adjustments to C1 & C2, thereby restoring the proper flow of nerve impulses and fluids to & from the brain. Sam's case, we've learned, is in the top 1% of most severe misalignments amongst recorded NUCCA cases in the country. We are endlessly grateful to Dr. Troyer, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Griffin for turning a new leaf in his care this year, helping us move from anti-inflammatory spinal epidurals and dead-end pharmacological treatment options towards treating the root cause. In conjunction with the amazing physical therapists at Broadlawns in Des Moines, these doctors have been instrumental in providing a path, and we wouldn't be where we are today without their assistance. We are also grateful to Coach Mike Turner at Anytime Fitness in Des Moines, for teaching Sam how to safely re-engage with activity.

With Sam's background as a self-employed worker, his only option for insurance while he's unable to work is Medicaid, which is unfortunately not accepted by UCC, NUCCA or AO providers. These providers understandably require advanced imaging in order to precisely identify where Sam's spinal cord, vagus nerve and brainstem are pinched, which ultimately causes his host of symptoms.

These uninsured doctor visits, imaging and treatments, along with early 2024 ER visits for cardiac issues, have led to us reaching the point of needing to ask for financial assistance. Sam's journey to understand his injuries was full of twists and turns, and his remaining treatment will be long – requiring more imaging, more treatment, potential out-of-state referrals and/or subsequent rounds of PRP injections, and in the worst case - possible surgery. The costs have already mounted, and we face more to come.

If you’ve spoken to Sam in recent weeks you’ll know that after being effectively bedridden from October through March, he is cautiously back on his feet and is eternally grateful. He is anxious to return to work, and we are confident that we have found the correct path of treatment.

Your support will be most welcome in helping us provide Sam with the care he needs. If you know Sam, you know that he's the ultimate supporter of those closest to him. We're asking for your help to show him the love and support that he's shown all of us over the years.

Thank you.

- Josh & Emily