Hey, my name is Jonathan Martinez. I am a Product Designer based in Orlando, FL but originally from NYC. I work Independently on a freelance basis to help early-stage technology companies to design web applications and help them to win funding. For a long time I was unable to work because I was bedridden due to chronic groin pain from a failed hernia surgery that involved a surgical mesh implant. You might already be aware of the class action lawsuits and that many of these products have been recalled, unfortunately the device that I have in my body hasn’t been recalled yet and has severely disabled me to the point where not only do I live with chronic pain but I have trouble lifting or carrying items over 5 lbs. As a man that prided himself on being physically fit and strong, I quickly became disheartened as this disability started to negatively affect my career, my relationships and my living situation.


Chronic pain isn’t the only issue that has come from living with this failed hernia surgery. I have difficulties urinating and the inflammatory swelling in my pelvic area has affected my breathing. I have chronic pain flare ups from time to time that make me cry hysterically from the excruciating pain. Lucky for me, as unfortunate as it has been for us all the global pandemic has slowed the world down to my speed as I have been isolated for the past 3 years in my apartment. The global pandemic has brought me more remote opportunities to work with technology companies from home but sadly I can never predict how bad my pain will be or when I will have my next pain flare. As a Freelancer I also have dry phases that can last up to 4 months with no client projects coming in, a dry phase that requires me to be proactive in networking and prospecting for new work opportunities. I really love what I do and I’m passionate about helping clients but I am unable to work at full capacity. It makes me sad to know that I’d be letting my clients down. I also can’t take a full-time job due to the fact that I am unable to predict how my pain will impact my ability to deliver high quality work by a deadline. Client’s pay good money and can be very apathetic towards my circumstance because they rely on me to deliver amazing designs. For example, just a couple of months back I was let go from a full-time position as a Product Designer working for a growing fitness tech company in Orlando because my pain had gotten in the way of delivering an important asset that was critical to their business development. 


Everything started back in late 2016 when I injured myself in the gym working out with a combination of high intensity cardio, weight lifting and boxing exercises. While showering after an intense workout I noticed a lump in my groin the size of a small pea and I dismissed it because it did not cause me pain. I started to notice the bulge grew to the size of a golf ball a week later as I continued normal activity. The groin pain started to begin, so I researched and learned that it was a sports hernia, which can be self-diagnosed. I spent about 6 months trying to get an official diagnosis from a surgeon and after I finally got one I was told that I needed to have surgery to repair the hernia. On April 17, 2017, I had a bi-lateral laparoscopic hernia surgery with a 6x6 inch sheet of Ultra Pro hernia mesh. My life was completely turned upside down, the urination issues began as soon as I woke up from surgery and the nurse had use a catheter in order to urinate. I did not recover well as I slept on a recliner for the first 3 months of recovery. I honestly had lost all hope after the surgeon abandoned me and gaslit me by saying that my chronic pain was imaginary. There were no objective tests that could prove that I was disabled and living with chronic pain. I wanted to give up.


Luckily, I learned that there were people just like me in Facebook groups experiencing the same pain and complications. They all needed corrective surgeries. I discovered that there wasn’t much documentation on groin pain after hernia surgery and what causes it. I also learned that corrective surgery is risky and complicated, there are only a handful of surgeons that could perform a hernia mesh explant and these surgeons are not only hernia specialists but they are world renowned.


A few months ago I was fortunate enough (pre-pandemic) to see Dr. Brian Jacobs in NYC, a world renowned hernia specialist known for helping patients to relieve chronic groin pain. I stayed in NY for a few months and got some medical insurance. Dr. Brian ordered some scans for me to get done but the pandemic hit us and NYC had the most cases in the US at the time. All of my financial opportunities were exhausted and I had no way to stay in NY anymore, therefore, I ended up returning to my apartment in Orlando where I live in section 8 housing. Section 8 housing has been my saving grace. Sadly my insurance isn’t accepted here and there are no resources to help me.


I really need to get back to NYC to have the rest of my scans done and schedule this life changing surgery with Dr. Brian. I have NY based insurance to cover all of my medical expenses. I just need to cover travel costs, room & board, and food for 2 people so that my loving girlfriend can care for me through both my surgery and recovery. I’m thinking that I’ll need to be there for about 3 months in order to allow enough time for Dr. Brian to assist me and make a proper analysis.


Contributing to this fund means that you’ll be transforming my life. I am a young man of only 31 years old full of ambition and drive. I want to be able to work and live my life to my fullest capacity. If I only get 50% better than that will still be a huge win for me.


Thank you guys so much for taking the time out to read my story and for your contribution to the fund if you were able to make one. God bless you!


Also if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me.


-Jonathan