Hi, everyone! I’m Brian.  I was a Naval Nuclear Submarine mechanic during the first Gulf War.  I’m a partially disabled veteran who has been dealing with a rapidly failing spine for over a decade, with no real explanation as to why that’s happening. Extremely long story short-ish, after 13 spinal surgeries so far, the Veterans Administration here in Pittsburgh can not help me anymore at this point. I’ve requested to be seen at Johns Hopkins Medical in Baltimore, MD. That request was granted after having to plead to the Chief of Staff explaining my needs. Although I’m on disability from the VA, I’m only rated at 10% so far. For those who don’t know how it works, that’s important because unless I’m being seen there for my ankle or my hearing, (the reasons I have my 10% disability rating) or are under 30% disabled rating, I do not qualify for travel expenses for care related to my spine. You have to be 30% or above to qualify for any medical conditions’ travel requirements. I am currently working on getting my spine included with my VA claim, which should raise my rating significantly, but that’s not completed yet.

2 years ago, I had to resign from an awesome job that made me good money. Since then, I’ve been unable to work.  I now only receive social security disability and at 10% rating the VA sends me $171.42.  I get exactly $23 for food stamps. It’s barely enough to live off of and most months I have to borrow money from family.

I just had my first appointment at Johns Hopkins recently. That surgeon referred me to the specialist. On this trip, for a two night stay, between the hotel and the travel expenses back and forth from Baltimore, about a 4.5 hour drive, alone were close to $500.  Now I’m not getting that money back to pay my sister back nor will I be reimbursed for any other trip there.

Since my neck is fused from c2-t2 ( basically my entire neck), to fix the current issue, they may have to possibly rebreak all of the fused vertebrae in my neck and reset them into the correct alignment. That recovery will be long and painful. Because there’s a high chance they may have to fuse my skull to my spine, afterwards I may no longer be permitted to drive, EVER, which is what I did for a living, and could be partially or completely paralyzed afterwards.

I have worked so hard to fight this and all the pain I’m in on a daily basis, knowing that I’ll probably never be able to return to the work I loved. Understanding the risks of this surgery I’m willing to do whatever it takes at this point to try to maintain any quality of life I can.

I’d like to thank everyone who considers this worthy in advance.  I’m just a humbled veteran who needs a hand (a new spine would be nice too, lol)… If you can help in any way it is greatly appreciated!