As many of you know, my life changed dramatically one wet and dreary Seattle morning in 2008. I woke up to face the day like any other day, but on this particular morning, upon standing it felt like someone was hacking away at my body with a machete dipped in acid and fire. The pain originated from the bottom of my feet and climbed up through my legs to my lower back. If it hadn’t been for the desk right next to my bed, I would have collapsed.

I laid back down in severe pain and slept for three days straight. Since that life-changing morning, I have seen two Podiatrists, two Chiropractors, and three Orthopedic Surgeons culminating in a diagnosis of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction, or PTTD, of both feet with a combination of flatfoot deformity on my right.  According to the doctors, an acute injury, such as from a fall, can tear the Posterior Tibial Tendon or cause it to become inflamed. The tendon can also tear due to overuse. For example, people who do high-impact sports, such as basketball, tennis, or soccer, may have tears of the tendon from repetitive use. Once the tendon becomes inflamed or torn, the arch will slowly fall (collapse) over time.

The Doctors couldn’t say with certaintly exactly how this had happened to me, considering the fact that I hadn’t experienced any specific physical injury to account for the sudden onset of  symptoms. They speculated that my years of involvement in athletics with a pronated feet (dancing, gymnastics, and acrobatics), especially at such an early age, may have brought on my case of PTTD. I was a rare case especially since PTTD is more common in women and in people older than 40.

Regardless of how or why, I suffered from Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction with a flatfoot deformity from that morning on. In the last five years, I have been plagued with:

•          Chronic pain and swelling along the inside of the foot and ankle, where the tendon lies.
•           Severe pain during physical activity.  High-intensity or high-impact activities, such as running, are extremely difficult, as well as walking or standing for long periods of time.
•          Pain on the outside of the ankle. With the collapse of my feet, the heel bones have shifted to a new outward positions. This puts pressure on the outside ankle bone. The same type of pain is found in arthritis in the back of the foot.
•           The mental and emotional upheaval that comes with any type of physical ailment.

But that is all about to change. Recently, through OHSU’s Charity Care Program, I have been blessed with 100% financial support for all medical costs pertaining to the surgery. Generating the financial funding that this very complex and expensive surgery requires has been a continuous obstacle, but now, with OHSU’s compassionate assistance, it is not. I am extremely lucky and eternally grateful for this support. The only catch is that the Charity Care is temporary and ends March 14, 2014. In order for the Charity Care Program to cover all medical expenses, such as doctor’s visits and physical therapy, the surgery must take place no later than January 15th.

This is where your kind and compassionate support can help me to finish the last leg of this life- altering journey. Due to the intense recovery period of the complex operation, (which will leave me bedridden), I will be unable to financially support myself for three to four months. Considering the impromptu deadline of the surgery, I am reaching out to all of you- my friends, family, and strangers- to donate whatever you can to the: Help Joshua May Get Back On His Feet Fund. While I am in recovery, the money you donate will cover basic monthly living expenses, such as rent, food and student loans.

I have saved a little bit of money, but nowhere near enough. So to all my all my friends and family: Please help me in this time of great need with your financial assistance to manifest the new life that’s waiting for me just beyond the horizon.P.S. Because I am not a non-profit donations are not tax deductible. I apologize for that, and thank you again for your support.