My brother, Nick Valenzuela, needs knee and hip joint replacement surgeries ASAP and I'm doing everything I can to get him the support he needs and we hope you can help!  Nick worked heavy construction as a concrete cutter and driller for 28 years. The years of lifting and operating heavy equipment took a toll on his once “very strong body”. In the early 2000’s, he reported injuries to his hip, his back, and his knee to WA State L & I (worker’s comp). His right hip was bone-on-bone. They denied his claim on his knee and back, saying it was “hereditary”. His former employer appealed his injury for 3 years, winning one appeal after another. That’s a fine thank you for being such a hardworking and dedicated employee. Nick was in constant pain, unable to work, and his bills piled up. The overcompensation of his hip injury only made his back and knee worse. In 2007, L & I finally approved his hip surgery “only”, never addressing his deteriorating knee and back. In late 2008, he had medical clearance for “light duty” and went back to work for a painting contractor. In 2010, he suffered a heart attack and had a stent put in. Being the strong and tough guy that he is, his heart recovered fully, but his back and knee kept him in constant pain. In late 2012, he had back surgery to remove bone spurs to help alleviate the pressure on his nerves and shooting pain. His knee continued to deteriorate and bow out, creating severe pain on his knee joint and “good hip”. In 2013, his doctor diagnosed that his knee and hip joint were “bone-on-bone” and in dire need of replacement. With the new Affordable Health Care Act, Nick has found a good plan and will undergo both knee and hip replacement surgeries “this year”. The knee will be first and the hip follow after he recovers from knee surgery. Since the state L&I has denied his previous claims AND denied him disability coverage, AND he cannot collect unemployment because he is not of “able body to work”, THIS FUNDRAISER campaign is to help my brother pay medical expenses and literally help him “GET BACK ON HIS FEET” and give him “A LEG TO STAND ON”. Nick is literally one of the toughest and nicest guys you’d ever meet…and as much pain and adversity he’s been through, he never complains! Admittedly, it is very hard to see my big brother in such agonizing pain and have difficulty just walking. My family and I will never deny him the help he needs and we’ll see him through this crossroads. In addition to this, I will be hosting a comedy concert entitled “Help Give My Bro A Leg To Stand UP On” on Sunday, May 18th, 2014 in Shoreline, WA to aid in his medical care and recovery. This will be a long road to recovery, but we hope Nick can get back to having a more mobile and pain free life! On behalf of Nick and the Valenzuela family, we appreciate any donation of any amount. We thank you for your time and your generosity! To make a donation in person, please feel free to go to your local Key Bank and donate to the “Nicky V Fund”. For show information, check out www.helpabruthaout.brownpapertickets.com or www.helpabruthaout.com Best Wishes—Vince Valenzuela