A lot of you know me—I'm a retired artist and jeweler, and I've always tried to give back to my community through my work and by helping others. These days, things have been tough for many of us, and now I find myself in a bind. My partner and I both work part-time jobs and create art, but despite our efforts, we're struggling to make ends meet.

I'm reaching out because I need help. After being rear-ended by a truck in 2016, I've been living with a back injury that has finally reached the point where surgery is necessary. The operation is scheduled for July 26, and it's imperative to keep me from losing my mobility and my ability to work. I'll be bedridden for about a month and a half during recovery, which means I won't be able to work or create art as I usually do. My partner will be working, but we'll need extra support—especially with food, medical supplies, and power bills—while I heal.

I wouldn't be asking for this if we weren't truly desperate. Your support, whether it's a donation or just a kind word, would mean the world to us. I'm hopeful that with your help, I'll recover and be able to open my home for 'Open Studios' and my upcoming show with Astoria Visual Arts. Thank you for staying positive and sending love. Every bit of support helps, and I can't wait to get back to creating and giving back to the community I love.