On St. Patrick’s Day 2016, my life changed forever. I was involved in a bicycle crash along the South Florida coast in Boca Raton when a rider in front of me fell, causing me to land face-first on the pavement. The impact left my face mangled and my brain suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage. I was declared dead on the side of A1A, but miraculously, I woke up 12 days later. Since then, I have endured multiple surgeries and extensive therapy to recover, but the effects of my injury are still with me every day.

Although I look normal on the outside, my brain struggles to maintain focus and I often drift off or talk about my injury and the spiritual experiences I had during my recovery. Each morning, I wake up thinking it’s still March 17, 2016. I am unable to receive disability and, at 59, finding work has been nearly impossible. I served my country and have always tried to help others, but now I find myself in need of help. I live in a 55+ community and my rent and basic utilities are modest, but my savings are running out and I worry about losing my home and car, which I need for daily life and independence.

Any support would mean the world to me and I hope to give back to others once I find stable work. I live a clean life and, despite my brain’s challenges, I want to continue volunteering and helping people whenever I can. Your kindness and generosity would be deeply appreciated, and I would be forever grateful for any help you can offer.