GETTING BACK TO ATTICUS: COMMUNITY SUPPORT NEEDED!

Hi, I’m Atticus.

Since March 1st of last year, I’ve been working closely with multiple doctors and specialists to get answers for a sudden and severe decline in my health. After months of appointments, pain, and confusion, things came to a head on February 14th—Valentine’s Day—when I went to physical therapy after work and my vitals were so dangerously elevated that my therapist sent me straight to the ER.

After hours of imaging and tests, we finally had a breakthrough: the root cause of everything I’d been enduring was found, and I was admitted immediately for emergency surgery.

On February 18th, I underwent a Cervical Spinal Discectomy and Fusion. Recovery has been challenging, but I do my best to remain hopeful. My most recent X-rays show that my spinal hardware is healing and aligned perfectly and it is even showing signs of slow growth regeneration. It may be minimal; however, it is still impressive to my surgeon and his team.

With that being said, I’ve been cleared to drive again, for the first time since November of last year.

Despite this progress, I’ve had zero income since February 14th. My savings are gone, my credit card is maxed out, and my car needs a full 100,000-mile tune-up plus emissions repairs before I can renew its registration and regain independence while earning an income again.

I’ve always avoided asking for help—especially when it’s financial—but I’m learning that admitting need is part of being human. I know that I would never discourage anyone from asking for help; so why would I not do the same for myself? I am deserving and worthy of it just as much as anyone else.

With all of this being said, I need to make a VERY IMPORTANT STATEMENT:

This isn’t just about me; I need you to know how deeply this has affected the love of my life. My fiancée has been my rock while hospitalized and while navigating life again at home—driving me to every appointment, picking up extra chores at home, and covering bills I’d normally handle.

Her strength, patience, and selflessness have been the light in all of this darkness. I want to relieve some of that weight she’s carried—ultimately, I want to lift it all. None of this would have been possible without her. She is my best friend, my favorite human, my companion, my partner, my confidant, and the only person I can trust with all that I am—she is my home.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Sincerely,

Atticus