I went to school for most of my life, all the way into last year.  Several issues have come up in my family over the years; but through determination, hard work, and faith I made significant steps towards making a career. 

Currently, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology.

After graduating, I wanted to return home to southwest Kansas to spend some time with my family. Jobs were limited so I began working in local fast-food, and made a living as a closer of a restaurant.  I was slightly physically limited by a work-related fall at the establishment I had previously worked in.  Working full-time, with constant lifting of heavy loads and bending, had been very physically demanding and at 23-years-old, I have been informed that I have advanced deterioration in two spinal disks. 

In late January, my condition was made much worse.  I was reaching for a clean rag under the manager’s desk when I felt a sharp, shooting pain associated with a crunch sound.  Since then I’ve had pain down my entire right leg, I didn’t know anything else was wrong. 

In the time from January to late March, a small lump had begun to develop in my groin.  When this was addressed, it was confirmed by a worker’s comp. doctor that I have a hernia.  The franchise I work for decided to put a stop on everything related to my surgery. 

No one who witnessed my worsening condition came forth.  My manager began avoiding me altogether.  My hours began dropping off to only ten a week, and they began hiring my replacements.  I am, in effect, pushed aside like garbage.  I am a person, an individual who didn’t deserve to be used up and cast aside, no one does. I am now caught up in the red tape of a worker’s compensation case.  They refuse to authorize my surgery, and I am told by my lawyer that I have to keep working until a hearing takes place.

It has been six months since my condition began getting worse.  I worry about hurting myself every minute due to an enlarging hernia. Every step I take causes intense pain in my back, my right leg, and groin.  I am stuck, unable to quit and find a different job because of a pending legal case and because it’s painful just to walk.  I need to have surgery in order to contribute to my household once again. 

Both my hernia and my financial situation are getting worse, and the first step I must take towards possible recovery before 2012 is to ask you for your charity.  Please know I am being sincere when I ask that anyone give what they can to see their fellow human being return from the precipice of this overwhelming situation.