My name is Chelsie, and I am Raymond (Leon’s) daughter. My dad has had quite a bout of bad luck and unfortunate events lately, and we’ve reached a point where we could use some help.

My dad worked as a roofer for 30 years, and the wear and tear on his body has been severe. He developed serious back problems and had to start walking with a cane — and then a walker — by the age of 55. He has also lived with diabetes for more than 20 years. After three long years of fighting, endless doctor appointments, and appeals, he finally qualified for Social Security Disability. But he then had to wait another two years before receiving Medicare, and even now there are copays, deductibles, and gaps in coverage.

Until Medicare kicked in, he relied on a volunteer doctor to get by. Once he got his new insurance in June and had to switch all of his doctors, things took a turn for the worse. He had two ambulance rides and week-long hospital stays due to severe vomiting, likely linked to GERD. He developed an infection that led to Diabetic Ketoacidosis. He also has declining kidney function. Years ago, around 2017, he had already lost his big toe due to an infection that wouldn’t heal.

Just as we were finally getting on the right track with his new medical team, everything went downhill again in October. Because of how he walks from the previous toe amputation, he developed a sore on the side of his right foot that wasn’t healing. The hospital accidentally broke it open, and the infection worsened. His foot doctor prescribed strong antibiotics and a special cream, but only a few days later, when I went to change his bandage, his foot was turning black and had two deep holes. I told him it looked very bad.

I stayed with him overnight, went home the next day, and planned to return Sunday — but only 3 hours after I left, I got a terrible phone call from his neighbor. My dad had fallen and broken his hip. At the hospital, doctors discovered the infection in his foot had become life-threatening. He had sepsis, gangrene, and necrotizing fasciitis — a flesh-eating bacteria. Despite a surgery to clean and cut away the infection, it had already reached the bone. His foot couldn’t be saved.

He first underwent an above-the-ankle amputation, that had to be left open for the infection to drain. When they did the next surgery to close him up a couple days later, they had to take off 2 more inches, leading to what he has now, a below the knee amputation. The infection was so urgent that doctors had to treat his foot before addressing his broken hip. Getting that news — and living through those days — was the hardest and saddest week of my life.

About a week later, he finally had hip surgery. He spent 16 days in the hospital and is now in acute rehab, working hard to regain mobility. With injuries on both sides of his body, learning to get around in a wheelchair is extremely challenging. But through prayer and God’s good grace, he has stayed strong, and the recovery from the amputation is going well so far.

Now comes the next phase: rehabilitation, recovery, and learning how to be mobile again. My dad won’t be able to receive his prosthetic leg until his surgical incisions fully heal, so he will be coming home in a wheelchair. We are already feeling the weight of medical bills and the work ahead to help him live safely and comfortably.

He will need a wheelchair ramp or lift, home modifications, new doors, and a home health aide — at least for a while. There will also be future medical expenses and follow-up care that we’re still trying to understand.

Through all of this, my dad has remained unbelievably strong, determined to live on his own and take care of himself. His positivity is inspiring — nothing keeps him down for long. Neither of us ever imagined we’d be in a position to need help, but now we do.

We are humbly asking for donations to help with medical bills, equipment, transportation, food, and any other costs that arise on this healing journey. I am the only family he has here in Florida, and I’ve been driving two hours back and forth to Stuart to visit and care for him. Every little bit truly helps and means more than we can say.

If you would prefer to send a card or something privately, I can share his address as well. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my dad’s story, for donating if you’re able, and for keeping him in your prayers. We appreciate the love, support, and kindness more than you know. If you can't donate, share and keep praying, we would love that too.