Hello, I'm Steve Murphy.

In 2004, I was diagnosed with a genetic disorder, Buerger's Disease. This basically causes your arteries to shrivel and die from the ends in. In 2005, I lost my right leg below the knee. I've since continued to push forward. I've been with the same company for 10 years, working an average of 100 hours/month. I do physical labor on my prosthetic, working and playing. I've lived in a converted school bus (converted myself) for a decade. I am a lover of nature. I am constantly trying to get others to canoe and kayak and enjoy our beautiful Ozark waterways. I almost act as a tour guide for any avenue of adventure. You want to hunt, fish, hike, float, sightsee, or any other type of activity, I can get you there. I loan out my boats with no obligations in return. I've taught children and adults to kayak and canoe. I have very little, and yet I embrace every part of my life as an amputee in the Ozarks. I also play music with 2 different bands. In other words, I am as productive as a one-legged dude could be.

Today, I am in trouble. In 2005, I was told I would lose the left leg just like the right one in 5-10 years. On Jan 6, 2025, they took the left leg below the knee. I knew my foot was getting bad. I kept working and living. I am grateful for the 20 years. Now it is time to start over.

I've prided myself on being independent and overcoming any obstacles in the last 20 years. I expect I can go back to work on light duty around the end of April, after receiving a second prosthetic and relearning to walk again. I have started the process with my prosthetic company already.

Where I see my problem...

I've got several doctor's appointments coming up in which I do not have the money to drive 4 hours round trip to the doctors. Each trip is about $30. My cabinets are empty. My credit has defaulted. It costs me about $50/week to keep warm in the winter.

While I do get disability, my used car alone is about $600/month with insurance.

I ask for help for the next few months. I don't really need cash. I need food, gas, LP, etc. GoFundMe seems like the best option to ask for help, as I've heard a lot of great things about this system. I know everyone has problems and I'm definitely not looking to profit from my people. What I realize, is if everyone I knew threw me $10, I'd be in the clear until I got back to work. If you can help me, it is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Update 03/14/25:

Thank you everyone for your help and support.

Over the last 2 months "Stump II" is healing well. I've been released from Vascular. I am now in the initial stages of recieving my new prosthetic. I was cast this week at SEMO Prosthetics & Orthotics, Poplar Bluff, MO. I will have a test socket next week and by March's end I should have my 1st of many prosthetics to come.

I've requested some "Go, go Gadget Legs." Maybe get some hydrolics to adjust my height lol.

Where'd your money go!?!

You've sent me a little over $1400. Again, thank you.

LP: $340

This should drop significantly as Spring is here.

Gas: $270

Doctor's appointments are about 100 miles away.

Food: $400

Storage: $180

This gets me ahead to April.

Taxes: $120

Covers me for 1 year.

To date, I've been fairly accurate on my needs. I'm not in the clear yet.

I've talked to my company and they are ready to have me back once I can walk again. I am very excited to get moving again.

I still could use your's, or anyone you knows help to get through until back at work.

Please share this on your favorite media avenues. I only have FB.

Thank you all so much!

Update 04/09/25:

The money you've sent is accounted for as follows...

Fuel: $100

LP: $100

Food: $300

Unexpected, replacement, auto battery: $125

I thank you all for your help.

I am going through my insurance company to apply for different types of aid, be it welfare or ssi.

I will recieve my new prosthetic on 04/14/25 from SEMO Prosthetics and Orthotics. Very excited about that.

I'm not out of the woods yet. Maybe another month and I can get back to work.

Please share this on your social media platforms. Thank you all again for all your help and support.