Please Help Ian Bidgood Walk Again

Organized by family

Hello, my name is Ginger Bidgood and I am reaching out to the community at large on behalf of my brother, my first best friend.

Ian Bidgood (age 56) has undergone a life-altering right leg below the knee amputation and has been forced to ask for help with the cost involved in getting the proper prosthetic, daily living, and medical expenses.

Ian is showing incredible resilience and humor throughout this life-changing experience.

We are hoping to raise funds to help cover the cost of high-quality prosthetic equipment, specialized physical therapy, and necessary modifications to his home so he can navigate safely. Ian needs help affording groceries, vehicle repairs, medication, rent, and gas to get back and forth to doctors in Tucson. Your support, whether through donation or simply sharing this page, means the world to our family during this challenging time.

The Goal

We have set a goal of $20,000 to ensure Ian has the best access to mobility aids and the best possible care. Every dollar raised will go toward medical bills and the necessary therapy, living expenses, supplies, and equipment to help Ian live his best life going forward.

We have reached out to Limbs for Life and Steps of Faith Foundation as well as other agencies as we navigate this unfamiliar territory by arranging services and figuring out qualifiable services.

A Bit of History

Ian Bidgood has always been a stand-up guy. Ian has always given the shirt off his back, a helping hand, a ride home, or a kind shoulder to lean on. He is a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, an uncle, and a friend to many. Ian is a kind, generous family man who, together with his wife, raised 13 children. They have been blessed with many grandchildren. Ian ran track in high school and coached youth sports in his town. Ian shreds a mean guitar and loves to share music with others.

Ian has served his Sierra Vista, AZ community as a Radiologic Technologist at Sierra Vista Regional Health and later Canyon Vista Hospital. Ian worked at the High Desert Clinic during the last thirteen years of his employment doing x-rays, hearing tests, spirometry, and physicals for DOT and drug screening and DNA tests. Ian even assisted the nurse or receptionist when he was needed and some days, all of the above, in addition to assisting with maintenance and painting. Ian has always provided for his family. Ian worked hard all his life and is always willing to help anyone that he can. His last child who lives at home is Army-bound and will be leaving for boot camp soon.

The Diagnosis and Procedure

Ian has peripheral neuropathy and has been dealing with complications from Charcot Foot Neuroarthropathy since 2021 when he was left with no choice but to accept full disability. He has undergone 6 failed surgeries to repair broken bones and rocker bottom foot. Last year was the IM nail surgery that caused osteomyelitis that led to sepsis and the need for antibiotics via PICC line after a sudden aggressive infection. It took 8 months to control the infection, and the doctors were still trying to produce a solution to repair the foot as all hardware had failed and had to be removed. The antibiotics cost over $1000 a month, so my brother began selling what he could to help with the cost.

Ian developed another infection in early December of 2025. He woke up with a fever and chills and went to Canyon Vista Hospital and then was transferred via ambulance to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Tucson, AZ, an hour away. By the evening of the 15th, the crucial decision was made to amputate his right leg below the knee to stop the deadly infection and give him the hope of walking again one day with a prosthetic.

Ian may have lost a leg, but he has not lost his sense of humor or his hope and determination that he will one day walk or even run again and be mobile out of his chair. Ian wants to be able to coach football, keep up with grandchildren, and enjoy the quality of life that we all deserve.

While the surgery was successful, the recovery road ahead will be long and expensive. Having this life-saving surgery has already changed his life dramatically and also financially. Ian’s recovery from the amputation will be extensive, necessitating the use of a wheelchair, various prostheses, and other walking aids, many of which are not fully covered by private health insurance or government subsidies.

Ian needs help to afford a prosthetic, as his Medicare covers 80/20 and he is deep in debt to Banner Health for the failed surgeries. The bandages that he uses to dress his leg twice a day are not even covered.

Needs and Expenses

- Rent/Utilities

- Truck repairs…Suburban and Yukon need repairs. Suburban needs a power steering box and pitman arm. Yukon leaks oil.

- Groceries

- Clothing that fits

- Gas money to get to and from appointments

- Pay prescription costs

How You Can Help

Your donation will help Ian afford the necessary prosthetic and support Ian through these critical recovery steps on his journey to walk and return to an active lifestyle. Ian’s life has been altered in the most dramatic way, but he is keeping a positive outlook and trusting in God’s plan for his future. If you know my brother, you know how genuine and kindhearted he is.

Ian is humble and we are all grateful for any help he receives.

We welcome your prayers and positive thoughts!

Thank you for sharing this page!