I’ve been friends with Kelsey and Mike for many years, and they’ve always been the first to show up when someone else needed a hand. Mike has always been an incredibly upbeat, loving, hard-working man always ready to chip in on any project. Kelsey is a beautiful soul with deep empathy, a vet tech who goes above and beyond to help people with their beloved pets. Now, these two amazing people need our help.

After a long and exhausting fight, their future feels uncertain, and two months of rent could make all the difference as they navigate a complicated legal battle and major health challenges.

Mike’s life changed on May 3, 2022, when he slipped at work. The fall shattered his left ankle breaking both bones, tearing ligaments, and severing tendons. After emergency surgery and months of recovery, he returned to work under light-duty restrictions, but due to lack of his employers proper accommodations, he reinjured the ankle multiple times.

What should have been a single recovery has turned into two and a half years of pain, surgeries, and setbacks:

Second ankle surgery to remove hardware and scar tissue

Diagnosis of CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)

New injuries from overcompensation: torn meniscus, hip ligament tear, and severe ankle damage on his other leg

In December 2024, just before Christmas, Mike’s workers’ comp case was denied. His only income disappeared overnight, and while his lawyers have filed an appeal, the process could take months. Meanwhile, medical bills and basic living costs don’t stop.

This isn’t just hard on Mike physically, it’s changed life at home too. His teenage son has lost the active, playful dad who was always up for tossing a football, shooting hoops, or playing baseball outside. Sports were their special bond, and now that’s been replaced with doctor visits, surgeries, lengthy pain, and a walker. In the pictures you'll see Mike was once a vibrant family man before being tied to his current walker.

Covering just two months of rent would give them the breathing room they need to focus on recovery and the legal battle instead of worrying about losing their home. Kelsey is working and searching for a second job but it’s still not enough.

How You Can Help:

Please consider donating whatever you can. Every dollar helps ease the burden and keeps this amazing family in their home while they face this difficult journey. If you can’t donate, sharing this page is just as meaningful.

Thank you for supporting Kelsey and Mike when they need it most.

Full Timeline:

May 2022: Mike slipped at work, shattered his left ankle (fractures, torn ligament, severed tendons), and had emergency surgery with plates and screws.

Late 2022: Returned to work under restrictions but reinjured the ankle multiple times.

Feb 2023: Filed workers’ comp lawsuit; diagnosed with CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome).

Oct 2023: Second ankle surgery to remove hardware and scar tissue.

Oct 2024: Surgery for a torn meniscus in the right knee (overuse injury).

Dec 2024: Workers’ comp claim denied—payments stopped immediately, leaving no income.

Jan 2025: Appeal filed; still waiting for a ruling.