I'm creating this GoFundMe page because I need to advocate for myself, my family & my small business. 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with a bone disease & needed a total right hip replacement. I was told I could return to my film industry job until I had the surgery. The next day at work I fell down 2 steps. I ruptured my ACL which was reconstructed w/ cadaver tissue, tore my Meniscus which I had repaired & then I also had that total hip replacement.

This happened within a 5 month period. the next month I had an emergency appendectomy. I was in physical therapy for 1.5 yrs & then work conditioning for an additional 3 months. I was unable to work for 2 yrs. I never asked for help because I was able to get worker's comp. As measly as that was I was still able to scrape by. After my recovery I was unable to return to my film career of 20 yrs as it involved manual labor 12 hrs/day, 5-7 days a week.

So, I pivoted. I opened a small business, Little Wing & Co., a vintage store based out of New Orleans. We are in our second year of business & as every NOLA local knows, summer is SLOW! I took a 2nd job to supplement my income, but last month I fell again. I missed a month of work waiting on my MRI results & I was unable to walk.

The MRI results came in. I re-tore my ACL, fractured my tibia, bruised my femur & I have a lateral tear of my Meniscus. Unfortunately my CT scan showed the tunnels they drilled for the 1st surgeries have widened which left my knee unstable. I will have to get a bone graft first to fill in those tunnels. Then I will get a 2nd ACL reconstruction called a Quadriceps Tendon Autograph. They will also address the Meniscus tear while they’re in there. Then I’ll have physical therapy. This time I have no worker's comp. I had to leave my 2nd job, but I still need to run my business & support my family. I've been out of work for 2 months and will be out of commission likely until the new year.

I humbly ask anyone who can, to donate whatever they can. I know times are tough for most of us here in New Orleans. That's why I am reaching out to my NOLA fam, T.O. fam & my L.A. fam. Absolutely anything will make a difference. The store is beautiful. I truly believe in its future but in the midst of our down season, this is the worst timing!

I've been living in pain in silence for a long time. But it's time to put my ego aside and ask for some help. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a hard worker. Eventually, this disease will occur on my left side. I currently have a torn Labrum in my left hip but they will not operate yet as it is not detached. Every time I have surgery on my right side, it puts strain and speeds up the deterioration on my left! That's why it's so important for me to be able to maintain my health & this business. Little Wing & Co. is a space where I can work, stay creative & won't put strain on my body. My goal is to postpone more surgeries for as long as possible. This time, I can't do it without asking for some help. The truth is I need help getting through the summer for my business to survive. I need my business so that I can support my family despite my disabilities.

Thank you again.

Love Cricket.