*This fundraiser has been created with permission from Jim and Michelle. All funds raised will go directly to their recoveries.*

On December 30, 2025, the day before their wedding anniversary, Jim and Michelle’s lives changed forever. As Jim stood behind his pickup truck unloading their pet skunk Pierre’s belongings for boarding, a woman who admitted she fell asleep at the wheel plowed into the minivan parked behind Jim’s truck forcing the minivan forward and pinning Jim between the two vehicles. Michelle witnessed the entire accident, saw her husband being crushed and heard him screaming in agonizing pain. She stayed with her husband and held him until paramedics arrived. Their dog, Lary, was seat belted inside the truck and experienced the entire traumatic event as well.

Jim has suffered catastrophic injuries; broken bones, horrific muscle, tendon and blood loss, and his future is unknown. Since the day of the accident, Jim has undergone 7 surgeries across two hospitals, including a 10-hour free flap surgery and has non weight bearing restrictions making it harder to stay strong. He faces additional surgeries, ongoing bone infection, and the reality that his injuries are permanent and life-altering.

Just 2 months prior to Jim’s accident, Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy on October 25, 2025 and began a long, uncertain recovery. Jim has not left a medical facility since the accident; he has not been able to be with his wife Michelle at her medical appointments or help her at home. Instead, while still healing herself, Michelle travels back and forth to medical facilities to be by Jim’s side, lifting, transporting, advocating, and caregiving. Insurance will not cover medical transport costs so Michelle is the one to drive him, all while she is recovering from major cancer surgery herself.

Along with the physical pain, the emotional toll has been just as devastating. Their 3-story townhome is no longer safe or accessible for Jim. With multiple flights of stairs and uneven ground surrounding the entrances, simply getting in and out of the home is nearly impossible and insurance will not cover necessary modifications. Medical bills have exceeded the at-fault driver’s minimal insurance coverage, Jim’s sick leave runs out soon, and Michelle has been on unpaid leave since the accident.

Jim has lost the active life he loved. He will not be able to return to the job he had or continue the pastimes he enjoyed, including riding his motorcycle. Michelle lives with the fear of cancer returning while carrying the weight of caregiving alone. Lary, their dog, is still traumatized and visibly shaken, though insurance considers him a “cargo object”.

In a matter of seconds, their lives went from planning anniversaries to fighting for mobility, stability, and survival. Any support, whether through a donation or simply sharing their story, would mean more than words can express as Jim and Michelle face this unimaginable difficult road ahead together.

Thank you for sharing and donating. We appreciate you more than you know.