Hello friends, Joel here.

YouTube Video - https://youtu.be/Of-GDjRghwk

On Wednesday, November 5, I was riding to work in Downtown Houston when I hit a large chunk of concrete that blended into the road surface. The impact threw me off the bike and across the sidewalk, leaving me with a broken left arm.

Because of the injury, I can’t work my waiting job or the supplemental gigs I lined up. Unfortunately, my insurance lands in a gap—it disqualifies me from the hospital’s relief program but doesn’t cover the procedure I need. Thanks to a family connection, I have access to an orthopedic surgeon who has agreed to do the procedure, but I must pay nearly $9,000 up front in order to receive it. Without the surgery, my break won’t heal properly, and I risk being left with a permanent, lifelong disability.

Before the accident, I was already scraping by with no realistic hope of weathering an unexpected medical emergency. I resisted making a GoFundMe because I wanted to solve this on my own, but the stakes are too high to let pride get in the way.

If you’re able to contribute, it would mean more than you know. Anything beyond the surgery cost will help me cover rent, food, and bills while I recover.

As you donate, feel free to share your favorite Joel story—no matter how embarrassing. A few good memories would go a long way right now.

Thank you for your time and kindness,

Joel Watts