J. Mark Cunningham

On November 6th, 2024, my life changed forever. I was driving in Rapid City, South Dakota, when a drunk driver crossed into my lane and hit me head-on at a combined speed of 150 mph. The impact was devastating—my vehicle was totaled, and I was trapped inside, suffering life-threatening injuries. I was rushed to the hospital, where I underwent two major surgeries: one for my back, which nearly left me paralyzed, and another for my right leg, ankle, and foot, which were completely shattered. Since then, I have endured five surgeries and am still unable to put weight on my leg. The doctors have told me I will never walk normally again, and the trauma of this experience has been overwhelming. The accident not only took a toll on my health but also on my livelihood. I was terminated from my job and had to wait a year before receiving disability benefits. During that time, I depleted my life savings just to survive. Now, I am facing mounting debt and ongoing living expenses that I simply cannot cover on my own. As a veteran, I have always been the person to support others in their time of need. Asking for help is not easy for me, but I am reaching out now because I truly need it. I sincerely appreciate anyone willing to donate their hard-earned money to help me recover and rebuild my life. Your kindness and generosity mean more to me than words can express. Thank you for considering supporting my journey to healing.

On November 6, 2024, my life changed in an instant. I was driving on the interstate when an intoxicated felon, fleeing law enforcement, crossed the median and hit me head-on at highway speed. He was driving a borrowed car, had no insurance, and was killed instantly. It took emergency crews 30 minutes to cut me out of my truck, and I spent the next three months in the hospital fighting to recover. During that time, I lost my job and was left without health care for almost a year. I went from a successful career to relying on disability income. To survive, I had to max out my credit cards and use up my life savings and 401(k). Now, I am facing significant debt, and the financial strain has been overwhelming. My recovery has been long and difficult. I just had my sixth surgery, and the bone is still not growing as it should. Nearly two years after the accident, I am still unable to return to work and need help covering my living expenses and paying off the debt that has piled up. As a 58-year-old veteran, I am grateful for the support my friends and family have given me, but I know it's not easy for them to keep giving. That's why I am reaching out to people I don't know, hoping to find support from those who can help me get back on my feet. Any contribution, no matter the size, would mean the world to me as I continue this journey toward healing and stability.