My name is Austin Montgomery, and I’ve spent the last 31 years working as an electrician. Four weeks ago, I went to the doctor because my knees were hurting so badly I couldn’t even bend over to tie my shoes. During that visit, my doctor ran some tests and discovered I’d actually had a heart attack within the last three weeks. It was a complete shock, and after more tests, they found a 68% blocked artery and valve issues in my heart. Now, I’m scheduled for heart surgery this Friday to address these problems and give myself the best chance at recovery.

This has turned my world upside down. The company I work for, Cummings Electrical, hasn’t offered any support, and I’m now sitting at home with no paycheck or income. On top of the heart issues, I recently took a color guard test that came back positive, so I’m also facing the possibility of cancer and more medical tests ahead. The stress of mounting medical bills and not knowing how I’ll cover basic expenses has been overwhelming.

I’m reaching out to my community for help during this incredibly difficult time. Any support you can offer will go directly toward my medical bills and living expenses while I recover from surgery and await further answers about my health. Thank you for reading my story and for any help you can give—it truly means the world to me.