Hi, I am raising money to help my family with some unexpected medical expenses. The Martina's have had a rough year, starting with my sons accident in July of 2018. As many of you know he was struck by a car, in front of our home while playing with friends on the holiday weekend. He was airlifted "flight for life" to Childrens hospital in Milwaukee Wi. with injuries including a broken arm, leg and 
severe head contusion.   The driver of the car was not ticketed! Claiming that my son had just ran into the street and there was nothing she could do. Police reports took her word and hers only as the only credible eyewitness to the accident and her insurance company refuses to pay any reimbursement for the accident.

Our homeowners insurance may have to pay out but seems very reluctant to do so after reading the incomplete police report, and the coverage amount would not cover the extent of the medical bills received or any of his ongoing care. My son has a large area of his forehead that is "dented" for lack of a better word.  I can't look at him without the reminder of that day and how my family and my son have been forever changed since that day.

I have been a contractor/small business owner since 2008 when I left the security of working for a large company with a medical benefit package and a general retirement package to strike out on my own to open a company that's purpose is to help others and secure thier own homes health thru air quality assessment and cleanup assurance.

I've had several types of health insurance since, including Cobra early on, Obama care or ACA....even Medicare/Medicade. when I was qualified.

During this challenging time for my family, I suffered a lapse in my insurance coverage. A lapse, due to paperwork issues, taxes, open enrollment...whatever it was, it was costly...I am a type 2 diabetic, and a Celiac. My prescription costs for insulin and other medications for auto immune and blood management became unaffordable, and I was forced to stop taking most of them.

Poor blood circulation and periphial neuropathy led to me having extremely cold hands and feet. Having no furnace in the house didn't help either. While using a heating pad to keep my feet warm, I fell asleep. Not having any feeling in my feet, I did not recognize the burning sensation until it was too late. I have 3rd degree burns on the top of my right foot and a couple of toes.

Over the course of the last 8 weeks, I have had an amputation of one of those toes, and am currently, basically immobile. Most of my friends know I was hospitalized for 23 straight days an hour from home....I have undergone a couple of surgeries including a triple arterial bypass to restore blood flow to my legs and feet, a synthetic skin graft on the top of my foot and an additional surgery for a permanent graft to be placed in about ten days. That next surgery will put me in for an additional stay in the hospital away from my family until the graft takes. If it does, I will have a slow recovery until I can get back to work. If the graft does not take...I will lose my leg to just below the knee. Terrifying to say the least.

Since that day I have been trying to get better. The toll this has taken on my family has been huge. Many of our friends and neighbors have helped.... A gas card, building a wheelchair ramp for our front entry, cash donations to help with groceries, kind words and support from friends that I have not heard from years, all kinds of support to keep us going physically and mentally. My wife is strong...the strongest woman I have ever known...she is exhausted, I see her sleeping standing up..just trying to rest. Everyone has thier limits and I fear my partner may be at hers. The mental toll of the multitude of bills...personall and business is starting to show. I feel even in my current state that I have to do something, I have to try.

Even my sons grades seem to be slipping...then get better when a few minutes helping with homework and organization, or with a project he has. Seventh grade has been tough for that little trooper and he wore his casts, and walking boot for most of it, without complaint. He has missed time for Dr. Appointments and had a quarter on the honor roll despite it all. 

With this all this said, we continue to try. Of course I am embarrassed to ask for help! But not too proud to ask for it when needed.

I have taken care of myself since I was seventeen. I have to do something, I have to try. I can't rely on a friend or family member to start a campaign for me and my family. Any kindness you may give will help.

So, it is time for me to reach out to the kindness of others. Some of you have helped me a long the way,  be it recently or in my past. I ask again for any donation you may be able to help with with. Mostly for my dear wife Tammie, and son Braidyn, so they don't continue to suffer.

We will be using any donations for medical bills and expenses, food, travel to St Luke's Medical Center, utilities,bills, bills bills, anything will help.  If you know of a company that can donate HVAC repair or equipment, that would help greatly. If you know of a company that could donate a medical type bed that would also help. We need help now, before its to late to save our home, our lives, we would so appreciate your help.

When we do get back on our feet...and we will one way or another. We will continue to donate as well. We will continue to donate our time to our local and surrounding community. We will continue to donate our skills as a service provider to homeowners in need across a wide area of Wisconsin and Illinois, to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, to victims of violent crime and sexual assult, suicide prevention,  auto immune disease and any other cause we can that our friends and family may be associated with, suffer from or donate to as well. We will be there. I promise we will be!

Thank You for your time and your consideration!
Respectfully yours.

Douglas Martina and Family