Some of you may already know that I’m a special education teacher and a single father. On a recent school community outing to Cumberland Mall, one of my students had a seizure and collapsed. In an effort to prevent him from hitting his head on the concrete, I acted quickly—doing what I thought was right in the moment. The student was over 6 feet tall and weighed over 250 lbs. I was the only teacher present, and I believed I could manage the situation alone. I couldn’t.

As a result, I suffered a serious knee injury. I fractured my knee and now have loose cartilage and extreme swelling and fluid buildup. Driving became excruciating. Standing—even briefly—was unbearable. Walking without support became nearly impossible. I underwent surgery on September 10th, and right now, I'm bedridden, in constant pain, and unable to care for myself in the most basic ways. I can’t shower or use the bathroom without help.

I’m also dealing with depression, trauma, and the uncertainty of when—or if—I’ll be able to return to work. As a single dad, my young son has become my main source of help, and it breaks my heart to put that on him.

I have no financial support at the moment. I'm asking for help to cover rent, food, and basic living needs while I recover. Anything you can give would make a huge difference for me and my son during this incredibly difficult time.

Thank you for reading, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for any support you can give—whether it’s a donation, a share, or just a kind word.