✨Support for Justin’s Cervical Spine Surgery and recovery✨

Hi everyone, my name is Cass, and I’m fundraising for my fiancé, Justin, who is scheduled for a critical cervical spine surgery on December 11th, 2025. Justin is one of the strongest, most resilient people I know — and right now, he needs support more than ever.

Justin’s Story:

At just 17 years old, Justin’s life changed in an instant when he was involved in a horrendous car accident caused by a drunk driver in Austin, Texas, leaving him a T10 paraplegic. The force of the impact caused a T10 burst fracture, which means the bone in his spine at the T10 level (right around his lower ribs) shattered outward. The bone fragments pushed into his spinal cord, causing severe damage that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Before the accident, he was a running back who had high hopes to play college football. His future was bright and full of promise — until one moment took everything away.

But Justin didn’t give up.

He rebuilt his life with strength, independence, humor, and kindness. He works hard, supports himself, his daughter, and me, and never asks for anything. That’s just who he is — proud, strong, humble, and always helping others.

But now, his health and mobility are at serious risk.

His Diagnosis:

Justin has severe degeneration in his cervical spine (neck) that has rapidly worsened.

Justin’s thoracic spine had to be fused after his accident, which means that part of his back no longer moves at all. Because of that, his neck has been doing the work of his entire upper spine for years. Every transfer, every reach, every twist, every movement has put extra strain on his cervical spine. Over time, all that pressure caused the discs in his neck to break down much faster than normal, leading to the severe nerve compression he’s suffering from now.

His scans show:

• A disc + bone spur compressing the nerve canal at C4–C5

• Moderate spinal canal stenosis at multiple levels

• Severe nerve tunnel narrowing on both sides

• Clear progression compared to earlier scans

This nerve compression is causing:

• intense nerve pain

• weakness

• numbness

• loss of grip strength

• loss of function

Because Justin uses his arms for 100% of his mobility, this decline is terrifying. His right side has already lost major strength, and now the symptoms have spread to the left.

He is scheduled for a total cervical disc replacement on December 11th, 2025 to relieve the pressure and prevent further deterioration.

Why This Surgery Is Especially Dangerous for Justin:

This is not a typical surgery. For a paraplegic, the risks are dramatically higher.

Justin relies entirely on his arms for:

• moving

• transferring

• bathing

• dressing

• toileting

• pushing his wheelchair

• preventing pressure sores

But after surgery, he will not be allowed to:

• lift

• push

• pull

• strain his neck

This temporarily takes away the only mobility he has.

Paraplegic patients also face increased risks of:

• Blood clots (he cannot walk to prevent them)

• Pneumonia from a weakened cough reflex

• Pressure sores from limited movement

• Infections

• Slower healing

• Blood pressure instability

This surgery will leave Justin fully dependent on me, family, and home health for every daily task.

Why This Is So Scary for Us:

This is the first time I’ve ever seen Justin truly scared.

The first time he’s admitted he can’t do this alone.

The first time he needs help from others.

Justin has spent his entire adult life overcoming impossible odds with strength and grace. He never complains. He never asks for anything. He just keeps going.

But right now, he needs a community behind him.

️ What We’re Facing:

Justin will be unable to work for 6–8 weeks, possibly longer if complications occur — and for someone who has fought every day since he was 17 to stay independent, that alone is devastating.

During this time, the reality of what we’re facing is overwhelming in every way — physically, emotionally, and financially.

During his recovery:

• His income will be completely gone, leaving us to rely on one paycheck (mine) for rent, utilities, groceries, and gas.

• Medical bills, copays, and follow-up visits will pile up quickly

• Transportation to appointments will be frequent and expensive

• We will need extra adaptive supplies, medical equipment, and support tools

• Justin will require full assistance with every movement, transfer, and daily task

• I will be working full-time while also becoming his full-time caregiver

This is not just a tough period — it is one of the hardest and most vulnerable moments of Justin’s life. For a man who has spent years proving his strength and independence, being unable to use his arms — the only mobility he has left — is emotionally crushing.

He is scared about the pain, scared about the risks, and scared about not being able to take care of himself or his daughter during recovery. And as much as I try to stay strong, it is heartbreaking to watch someone you love worry about things that most people never have to think twice about.

We are doing everything we can to prepare, but the truth is: we can’t do this alone. The financial strain, the physical demands, and the emotional weight are more than we can carry by ourselves.

How Your Support Helps:

Your donations are being carefully managed to cover essential household and recovery expenses for Justin, his daughter, and me, including:

• Rent & household bills while he’s out of work

• Post-operative medical costs & copays

• Necessary adaptive equipment & medical supplies

• Transportation for appointments

• Caregiving needs during recovery

• Food, gas & daily living expenses

Any amount — even $5 — makes a genuine difference. If you are unable to donate please share and spread the word.

From the Bottom of Our Hearts, thank you for reading Justin’s story. He has survived more hardship than most people will experience in a lifetime, yet he continues to move forward with strength, humility, and love.

If you can donate, share, or pray for him, please know it means more than we can ever express. Your support helps Justin heal safely and gives us hope during one of the hardest moments of our lives.

With love,

Cassidy & Justin

Venmo: @CassACarrington