I never imagined I would be in a position where I needed to ask for help, but life has taken an unexpected turn. On March 6th, 2026, I will be undergoing Lumbar Fusion Extension surgery. This is my second back surgery, and while I am hopeful for a full recovery, the journey ahead is daunting. Just this morning, I received an email informing me that my unemployment benefits have been cut off, despite having a confirmed return to work date of April 27th, 2026. The reason for this was missing a reemployment class at the scheduled time. Although I quickly rescheduled and completed the class, my benefits were still discontinued. To make matters more challenging, I also found out today that I do not qualify for SNAP benefits because my previous unemployment income was too high, even though I haven't received any payments in the last two weeks.

I've worked since I was 15, always contributing and doing my part, including serving as an Army veteran. Now, I find myself struggling to cover basic living expenses and travel costs for medical appointments, which are an hour away from my home. I am currently in the process of trying to acquire VA disability and have no income at this time. I am reaching out to my community for help with daily living expenses and support until I can return to work. Any assistance, no matter how small, would mean the world to me. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for considering a donation.