Friends & Family: Today is my big brother Ron’s birthday. Unfortunately, he has suffered a medical emergency this weekend and is spending his 53rd birthday in the hospital.

Ron does not have social media and is not aware I have started this campaign.

He is the kind of big brother every girl should have: loving, supportive, kind, and smart. Always there to lend a helping hand or share his always logical advice. I just want to help him as much as I can. My brother lives in AZ but came home to MI this summer to take care of our mom and do some jobs so he could replenish his savings. He was working even though he was in so much pain he could not stand up straight.

The Details: On Saturday, we had to rush Ron to the ER as he was unable to use his legs. Late Saturday night, he had an emergency spinal surgery to perform a fusion on his L2-L3. Once he was opened up, it was discovered his disc had shattered and pierced his dura (the covering that protects the spinal cord, nerves, and blood vessels). This is an extremely rare and dangerous complication. The fragments were removed, and a patch was placed to repair the dura. He also will need another surgery in the future to fuse other discs.

All of this would be a great deal for anyone to deal with. But he has the added stressor of being a self-employed painter/contractor with no health insurance. He also has been unable to work for the past 12 months because of his degenerating issues with his back.

Ron has owned his beloved horse Classy for the past 15 years. Ron and Classy have served as a volunteer Mounty with the Apache Junction Arizona Mounted Rangers. Together, they have also run in the Hashknife Pony Express. Classy has also been in a movie! Isn't she a beauty? Unfortunately, she is also an added expense.

Ron has a long recovery ahead. He will need to be rehabbed at PT, where hopefully he will regain full use of his legs and also gain back his strength.

Funds are needed for:

Warm clothing as he will be here in MI for at least the next three months. I need to get him winter boots and a coat, etc.

Boarding and feed for Classy.

Medical expenses, hospital bills.

PT and any recovery devices.

Medications.

The Love: Thank you for reading this. I appreciate you all more than you know. He woke up today in the hospital thankful to be here. Appreciative of the surgeon’s time and skill, plus a profound gratitude to my sister, husband, and I for taking care of him. He really is an amazing guy ❤️.