Disabled Dad Fighting to Get Back on His Feet

Hi, I’m Josh. I’m a dad, a space nerd, and a former electronics tech who’s spent the last few years trying to survive after my life fell apart.

I lost my health, my job, my home, and most of my independence. Now I’m just trying to rebuild piece by piece for myself and for my son.

How It All Started

A few years ago, things were finally going right. I went back to school, graduated with honors, and landed a great job repairing military electronics. I was providing for my son, fixing up our home, and even got to help with a NASA zero-gravity project. It felt like everything I’d worked for was finally paying off.

Then one day I fell from a roof while trying to fix a leak. I fractured my spine and hip and injured my right leg and arm. At first the doctors thought I’d recover, but the pain never went away. I tried therapy, injections, and surgery in 2021, but I couldn’t go back to work. Losing my job meant losing my insurance too, and everything started to collapse.

What Followed

Lost my job and health coverage

Lost my vehicle to repossession

Lost my home to foreclosure in early 2024

Denied disability multiple times, even with medical proof

Moved back in with my parents at 35 after more than a decade on my own

I’ve sold what I could, applied for every kind of help, and even tried a GoFundMe before that barely reached anyone. I’ve kept fighting ever since, now with a lawyer handling my latest disability appeal.

Still Trying

I’ve had two spinal surgeries this year, one in June and another in September 2025. It’s too soon to know how much they’ll help. I walk with a cane and live in constant pain, but I keep pushing forward.

The timing couldn’t be worse. With Donald Trump’s new “Big Beautiful Bill,” programs like Medicaid and SNAP — the only things keeping me and my son afloat — are being tied to work requirements. If my SSDI claim isn’t approved this fall, I could lose both. That would mean no healthcare and no food assistance at all.

I’m scared, but I’m not giving up.

What I’m Asking For

I’ve always worked hard to take care of my family. Right now, I just need help to get through this and start rebuilding. Donations will go toward:

Reliable transportation to medical appointments, including my neurosurgeon 60 miles away

Out-of-pocket medical costs like copays, medications, supplies, and gas

Basic living needs such as food, hygiene items, clothing, and utilities

A small savings cushion for emergencies

Long-term recovery including stable housing, healing, and eventually moving somewhere healthier

Why I’m Sharing This

Because I’ve tried everything else. I’ve asked for help, applied for assistance, and fought through pain and setbacks. I just can’t do it alone anymore.

Even if you can’t donate, please share my story. The more people who see it, the better my chance to hang on and rebuild what I’ve lost, for myself and for my son.

Thank you for reading, and for caring.

Josh and Noah