NO SAFTEY NET

In one moment, everything changed for Dr. John McCue and his family. A quiet man who has spent his life caring for others is now fighting to recover from a devastating and massive stroke—without the safety net most people assume would be there. Today, he needs the same kind of help he has quietly given to so many others over the years.

 

JOHN’S HEART FOR SERVING:

Dr. John McCue has always quietly taken care of people.

 

After working his way through a degree from Baylor University and then Texas A&M Dental School, John chose to serve in the United States Air Force, where he served proudly and diligently. He was selected as a Flight Doctor for much of his service in the 7th Medical Group—something he was both honored and humbled to do. During his service, he also took part in a selective, voluntary humanitarian mission to El Salvador, helping care for people devastated by civil war, and served his fellow Air Force community in many other ways.

 

When he completed his service in the Air Force and moved back to Waco to be closer to family, John quickly realized that private practice wasn’t where he felt called to be. He wanted to serve those who might not otherwise have access to dental care. In 2004, he became one of the first few dentists at Waco Family Medicine (formerly the Family Health Center), where he has spent most of his career caring for underserved families—especially children. That’s where he felt most at home.

 

Outside of work, John has always been deeply involved in the community. He coached many levels of soccer, refereed for over 20 years, served on local boards, and, together with his family, created resources to help kids develop their soccer skills. He used soccer as a ministry to help many kids have positive experiences and to see the love of God in an unexpected place. Alongside his wife Angie, they raised and homeschooled their four children through high school graduation and were both part of many local homeschool communities during that time.

 

John has always been the kind of person who shows up when needed.

 

A SERIES OF TOUGH TIMES

Over the years, our family has faced some difficult seasons—most of them quietly.

 

Back in 2009, the family home began having serious foundation problems, which led to major plumbing issues as well. What we thought would be a quick fix turned into a long, exhausting battle with many unplanned expenses that lasted for years. By 2021, we had no choice but to leave the home, and we were sadly forced to use retirement savings just to get out of an uninhabitable but much-loved family home.

 

That same year, John—who has always been very health-conscious—had a heart attack and needed open-heart surgery. It was a shock. But in true John fashion, he worked hard, recovered, and was back to caring for patients and refereeing high school soccer within months.

 

Through all of it, we leaned on our faith and did our best to keep life steady for our kids.

 

WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED

 

This January, John stepped into something he had always wanted—working only with children in a pediatric dental role.

 

However, barely a month after starting this new dream role, John suffered a massive stroke. Everything changed in an instant.

 

Now, John is facing a long road ahead—physical therapy, speech therapy, and ongoing daily care, along with the possibility of additional treatments and many specialists. He still isn’t back home because of the level of care he needs each day. Things we all take for granted—like walking, talking, and daily routines—are no longer things he can do on his own.

 

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

 

This is not something we ever thought we would be sharing…

 

Because of the timing of John’s job change, typical benefits had not yet started. Looking back, we now realize John was in a uniquely vulnerable window—one he couldn’t have fully understood at the time, as serious health issues were quietly reaching a critical point beneath the surface. That resulted in no disability coverage, no health insurance in place (other than a costly COBRA plan his wife quickly put into effect), and no paid leave when the stroke happened. So almost overnight, his income came to a sudden halt—and the safety net most people assume would be there… wasn’t.

 

We know it might be surprising to hear that a dentist would be in this kind of situation. It’s hard for us to say, too. But this isn’t from irresponsibility or poor decisions. It’s the result of years of setbacks—losing a home unexpectedly, large medical bills, countless home repairs and remediation costs from the failed foundation and doing everything possible to support and raise our kids well, including helping them attend college.

 

We’ve always handled things on our own, as many families do, so seeking help and sharing our story is not easy for us. But we’ve realized this is more than we can carry alone.

We’ve been incredibly blessed by the people who have come alongside us during this crisis. Several individuals and communities are supporting, encouraging, praying, fasting, and giving so generously. But nearly three months of daily hospital and rehab visits by the family, coordinating care and constant advocacy for John, managing financial strain and home responsibilities, working part-time where ever possible, and supporting a daughter who is still in college—along with the ongoing, unpredictable medical challenges that follow a stroke—are bringing our family to the brink of losing everything, even as we continue to fight for John’s recovery.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

 

If John has ever been part of your life, or if our story has touched you, we would be incredibly grateful for your support.

 

Please know that all donations will help with medical, recovery, and rehabilitation costs, as well as his ongoing custodial care needs and basic living expenses while he is unable to work—something that may extend for years.

 

Truly, every little bit helps more than we can say.

 

If giving isn’t something you can do right now, we completely understand. Your prayers and even just sharing this page mean so much to us. We are also grateful for any other ways people may be able to support John. There are many needs—from legal guidance and help navigating resources, to temporary housing options, or even visiting and sitting with John while our family works through daily responsibilities. Any support in these areas would be a true blessing.

 

BLESSINGS TO YOU FROM OUR FAMILY

 

John is still the same person—still fighting, still pushing, still determined.

 

But this road is long and incredibly difficult, and we simply can’t do it on our own.

 

If you feel led to give, your support will help John continue the care he desperately needs and, we hope, help bring him home again soon.

 

And to those who have already given—bless you and thank you. We don’t have the words to express how much it has meant to our family. We could not have gotten this far without you.

 

With all our love and gratitude,

The McCue Family