Save Joshua McLemore!

Howdy! My name is Dayde McLemore, a sophomore at Colorado State University. I am making this fundraiser to raise money for lifesaving medical care for my Dad. My dad's name is Joshua McLemore, and he is my hero. Dad isn't my biological father, but family extends beyond blood, and he has more than earned the title of Dad. When my sister, mom, and I had been abandoned, Josh stepped into the role of the father in 2004. Ever since that day, Josh has worked his butt off to provide for our every need. Every holiday, every meal, my admission to college, and countless other things could not have been possible without my Dad. He is our provider, our protector, and this family wouldn't exist without him.

Time for a little photo dump!

Dad with Trysten, my sister, age 11. 2012

Dad with Me, age 8 1/2. 2012

Dad with my Mom, Myken. 2011

Dad reads to us both. September 2006.

Family Portrait was drawn by my sister, Trysten. 2021

In March 1997, Josh was the victim of a very bad car accident. This accident resulted in his skull being shattered, as well as destroying most of his teeth in the process. He had reconstructive surgery done on his face, which involved screwing metal plates into parts of his skull. Over the years, this surgery has eroded, and the screws keeping his face plates in place have pushed out of his skin, some pushed out through his mouth as well. This has left my dad with a large, painful scar on his right cheek, as well as a gaping hole inside his mouth that exposes his skull. His teeth have only gotten worse, as he doesn't have one undamaged tooth. This leaves him unable to eat most things, and the food he can eat is painful. The scar tissue in his throat has made it hard for him to swallow certain foods as well. It has gotten so bad, that the tissue in his cheek has fused to his cheekbone. Given time, his condition will worsen and will lead to much scarier, life-threatening symptoms.

Time for some more photos! (I apologize for some jank, these photos are hard to format lol)

Pictured below is a collage of Josh during and after surgery. March 1997

Photos of Dad's Ranger after the accident. March 1997

The wound on his face, taken March 2011. This wound has only gotten worse since.

The wound now. January 7, 2023

The first screw fell out. March 2011.

I am making this fundraiser because we are getting desperate. It kills me to know that precious time is passing, leading my Dad's health to worsen by the year. He has noticeably lost weight from not eating due to his condition. We can not afford to heal my Dad, nor do we have any chance of ever being able to afford it. His job does not provide health insurance, nor are there any affordable health insurance options. I refuse to sit by and watch my Dad, tired and hurting, get any worse. The situation is, we don't even know how much it could cost to fix him. Josh travels for work as a carpenter, and as much as he needs help, we can't afford to have him not constantly working. He is always out on the job. He has been forced to miss much of this family's life because he is forced to be away from us so that he can provide. The truth is, we don't have a clue how much it could cost to help my Dad. To even get a number to start with, it would require Dad to schedule an appointment with a doctor, which we would have to pay for out of pocket. He would also have to take time off work to ensure that he could make it to this one doctor's appointment; on top of the many future visits to the hospital. You can see where the issue starts! I value your time, so I'll make the rest of this quick and simple.

Just a couple more pictures! Just for fun :) (Once again, I apologize for the jank!)

Dad posing with a bear!

Dad with some beard beads.

Dad is off to work!

Dad helping Trysten with some homework. April 2013.

Dad taught me how to ride a bike. June 2012.

For the first stage of the fundraiser, to see if we can get some traction, I am setting the first donation goal to only cover the doctor's visit. If that can be funded, I will update you with an accurate number of what it could take to save my Dad. Of course, I will post receipts, pictures, and updates along the way to make sure you feel confident that your donation is going to the right place. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and I greatly appreciate your consideration. Anything will help, the McLemore family is begging you to help save my Dad. His name is Joshua McLemore, and we can't survive without him. Thank you.