Hello Everyone, some of you may know me and know my story. Whatever the case, thank you for taking a minute and reading and considering my story and how I got to where I am.

My name is Aaron, I am 47 years old going on 17. Just kidding about the 17, but sometimes that’s the way my spirit still feels. Which is to say, I have a lot of life and energy left and don’t plan on spending any more of it with debilitating pain. Recently, I elected to have a medical procedure done known as a “BKA” which stands for “Below Knee Amputation.”

Some of you may be shocked and some of you may understand why I chose to do this. Well, let me share a little backstory and then maybe for those who may feel bad and sorry can have a clearer picture about my decision.

In June of 2019, I was in a horrible accident. I was struck by a car while riding my motorcycle in Richmond, CA. The injuries to my right leg were very severe and life-threatening. I have spent the last 6 years having surgeries and skin grafts and dealing with infection. Because of the accident, I developed acute osteomyelitis, which is a chronic bone infection.

In the past 6 years, I have had at least 12 surgeries just to deal with the infections.

In June of 2025, I was going about my normal day while continuing to deal with chronic pain and issues that come with that. One day, I noticed that a particular spot on my injured leg was feeling quite tender and sore. I didn’t have much sensation of touch or feel in my leg because of the original traumatic injury and scarring. Along with trauma is included nerve damage, causing numbness throughout most of my lower leg and foot. This can be very dangerous because I could be injured or a growing infection could be under the skin and I wouldn’t know until things would get messy and I would end up back in the Emergency Room.

It just so happens that’s what was occurring in June of this year. I woke up one morning with a wound that opened during the night and started leaking pus, plasma, and blood. Sorry for the details, but I need you to understand the severity so as to understand my decisions for the amputation.

The new wound was treated and I was scheduled to have immediate surgery to remove a section of bone from my leg to battle the continuing infection. After the surgery, I was daily changing the dressing and taking huge amounts of antibiotics. Although measures were put in action to reduce the infection, the incision from the surgery would not close and seeped plasma continuously for 3 months.

I had finally had enough. It was time. I had to make a decision that was going to change my life forever. I decided to have my foot amputated. I was filled with so much anxiety and was unsure about my future and what my life would be like after. I was not scared and had years to think about this decision beforehand. I did all the research I could and had talked to so many other amputees that themselves had come to that same decision as I had done.

I'm 47 years old and I refuse to not try to make my pain better. I am staying positive about my situation and my decision. I am excited for the prospect of getting my life back. I want to walk without the pain I was experiencing with each step on a minute-to-minute basis. I did a great job of masking my pain. Not too many people knew I was in agony every single day. I finally decided I’m taking control back and I therefore decided to amputate.

With this surgery and prosthetic, I stand a really good chance at gaining back a relatively normal life. Which would include walking, running, and hiking. Maybe to go as far as to be able to dance with my lady again. So many possibilities and chances I believe I will have an opportunity to be included in again.

I'm excited to go down this path in my life and share my journey with everyone along the way. Hopefully, I can share with someone who is facing the same type of decision and be able to bring some insight for that individual.

I want this to be nothing but a positive experience. Although I know there will be some very challenging days ahead. For instance, I will not be able to work or bring in enough money to be able to sustain while I heal and while I am waiting for my permanent prosthetic leg. It takes a couple of months of rehabilitation before I get fitted with my new leg.

I am not a person who likes to ask for handouts, but I am intelligent enough to realize that we all need help sometimes. Those who know me know I’m stubborn and don’t really ask others for help. I would rather be the person helping everyone else. With that said, I am asking for your help to bear the burden of this situation. If you can donate, I would appreciate the help. Most of all, thank you for your time and consideration.

I hope you have a great day. God Bless. ❤️❤️‍❤️❤️‍❤️‍