Help Save the Vision—and Future—of Jesse Montero

Update: Lions Club Eye Center Has Taken Me In! I’m beyond grateful to share some incredible news — the *Lions Club Eye Center* has taken me in, and they will be covering the costs of my upcoming surgery. I can’t express how thankful I am for this blessing and for every one of you who helped get me to this point.

Thanks to your support, the **right eye surgery** was completed and seemed to be more effective than expected. My vision has changed — and things are different now — but I’m deeply grateful for what I still have.

Unfortunately, the situation with my **left eye** has become far more complicated due to delays in care. Scar tissue has built up, and the window for restoring vision has closed. There is no hope of restoring sight in that eye**. The team will do what they can to stabilize the eye and preserve its structure, including:

* A **banding procedure**

* **Cataract removal**

* **Lens placement**

* Use of **oil to try to hold the retina in place**

There is also a high probability that I will have to have injections in my eye moving forward after all of the surgeries.

These steps won’t bring back vision, but they may prevent further pain or damage. It's a hard truth to face, but I’m doing my best to move forward with what I’ve got. The left eye is exceptionally complicated now.

**How Funds Are Being Used Now**

Since the upcoming surgery costs are now covered, **all donations through this GoFundMe are being used to settle previous hospital bills and medical expenses** I’ve incurred throughout this process.

Because I’m still **unable to work** and have very limited vision, **my wife is managing and distributing the funds** to make sure everything is handled with care and transparency.

We are still not at the spot where we can apply for disability or for insurance that will take preexisting conditions but we got a good start at immediate needs figured out.

Thank you — truly — for your continued support. Your generosity has helped carry me through one of the most challenging seasons of my life. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.

With love and gratitude,

Wandering Nevada Soul, via wife Jen

__________________________________

Jesse Montero, known to many as Wandering Nevada Soul, is a father, husband, artist, and storyteller whose life has been turned upside down by a sudden and devastating medical crisis.

Jesse has permanently lost vision in his left eye. His right eye is now in critical condition—and without urgent surgery, he will lose his sight completely.

He recently underwent a minor, stopgap procedure in outpatient care thanks to a compassionate surgeon who did what he could to buy time—but that time is running out. Jesse is now living moment to moment, with immense frailty in his remaining eye, and any added strain could result in permanent and total blindness.

His condition is now classified as pre-existing, and so far, no insurance policy has offered coverage. The family continues searching for options, but as of now, they are being told surgery will require $30,000–$50,000 out-of-pocket up front just to be considered for treatment at a hospital.

Here’s what they’re facing:

$5,700 per eye just for the surgeon (not including anesthesia, hospital costs, or follow-up care)

$9,600 in current medical bills, already accrued

Emergency Medicaid was denied on April 19th—because Jesse still has partial vision in one eye, imminent blindness is not considered an emergency

To make matters worse, the family’s only vehicle has broken down after trips through steep mountain passes between Nevada and California to see specialists. With no working vehicle, they are now relying on the generosity of friends to lend them transportation just to make essential appointments.

After being self-employed doing construction for 30 years, Jesse lost the ability to work construction three years ago. Since then, he has dedicated himself fully to fatherhood, and to continuing his creative work as an inventor, aspiring artist and writer—despite everything stacked against him.

Now, Jesse and his family are asking for help. Your donation—no matter the size—brings them closer to saving his vision and giving this family a chance to stabilize.

Please donate, share, and spread the word.

With deepest gratitude,

KD Neeley, Campaign Organizer for @Wandering_Nevada_Soul

Please note that the beneficiary is Jesse's wife. She is the one holding the brunt of the financial burden.