On January 22nd at 10:49 AM, I got the call no one ever wants to receive. It was John, screaming that he had fallen. In that moment, everything stopped. John fell approximately 20–25 feet, causing severe injuries from his left knee down. We are incredibly grateful and beyond blessed that he is alive today, because this situation could have ended very differently.

John has spent 17 years working as an arborist, one of the most dangerous blue collar professions there is. Arborists go to work every day fully aware of the risks. They don’t ignore them; they live with them. Every climb, every cut, every decision is made knowing that one unpredictable moment, a shift in weight, equipment failure, or a split-second miscalculation can change everything.

In the back of John’s mind, he knows how much worse this could have been. That’s the reality of this job. Arborists constantly assess danger, reading tension in wood, planning escape routes, watching weather conditions, trusting their gear and their crew, because mistakes in this line of work aren’t small, and second chances aren’t guaranteed. These are the kinds of risks they think about daily and the kinds of close calls that turn into nightmares long after the workday ends.

This injury will put John out of work for several months or longer, and the financial strain that comes with that is heavy. Asking for help is extremely hard for me, but right now, it’s necessary. Any support: whether through donations or sharing this page, means more than we can put into words. It allows John to focus on healing and recovery instead of the overwhelming stress of being unable to work.

We are holding tightly to our faith during this time.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

Blue collar work, especially arborist work, is not for the weak. It takes strength, skill, and mental toughness every single day. We are thankful John is still here, and with your help, we can get him through this difficult road ahead.