Andrew Sole, Stress Fracture & Lost Income

Dear friends and acquaintances,

My situation is Extremely Urgent.

I recently found out I have a stress fracture in my left heel. Many that know me, know I make my living as a freelance drummer, private drum teacher and food delivery driver in Chicago. Because of the work that I do, this injury is resulting in lost wages of more than half my monthly income for this month and the next. Because I have no savings, if I don’t replace these wages, I will run out of money by the end of the month, then the dominos start to fall, and I stand to lose everything.

It is not my first choice to have to ask for help and I really hoped I wouldn’t have to. I have been trying to get assistance through other means, but the systems that are in place that are supposed to help people in times of sudden emergency and great need are too slow, and the process of getting assistance is too complex and overwhelming for the little time that I have.

I’ve had pain in my left foot since November 2022 which I thought was a minor issue. When more conservative treatment did not improve my condition, an MRI revealed that I have a stress fracture in my left heel, along with multiple other issues, involving tendons and ligaments.

Because of this, I must wear a fracture boot for 6 to 8 weeks which includes resting it as much as possible, with possible recovery time after that, not to mention having out-of-pocket medical expenses that insurance doesn’t cover.

Not a big deal depending on what one does for a living, as some are able to keep working their normal jobs with a stress fracture.

But for me, this small stress fracture injury is life-threatening. My entire livelihood depends on me being able to use my feet, walk etc…

I can still teach drum lessons because I can sit while teaching to stay off my foot. But they currently provide less than half of my income and do not cover many of my bills.

My other source of income, food delivery, I cannot do with a boot and a stress fracture in my heel if I want it to heal properly. If I don’t wear the boot, rest, and take time off from my delivery job, the stress fracture will turn into a break.

The delivery job is currently more than half my monthly income and pays well. Without it, I will not be able to pay both my regular monthly expenses and my studio rent, and I am at great risk of losing everything, including my studio where I teach lessons.

If I lose the studio, I would also lose income from music lessons which would result in no income at all while I try to recover and heal my foot. I would also have to sell all of the music equipment that I use to teach and perform because I cannot physically move it out of the studio in my current condition.

The dominos are falling hard and fast for me right now and I really need help to prevent these things from happening.

Those that know me, know that I work extremely hard, working both jobs 7 days a week and get an average of only 5 to 6 hrs of sleep a night. I’m not a person that wants to ask for handouts. But given the short amount of time that I have, I don’t feel I have a choice at this point in my current situation.

I have no doubt that the stress fracture will heal as long as I take care of it properly, follow the doctor’s instructions, and give it the rest it needs. But the financial aspect of this situation for me is devastating.

If you are able, I am needing and asking for financial assistance for lost wages and medical out-of-pocket expenses from the stress fracture. Donations will help me get through this very scary, stressful and difficult time, and allow me to rest my foot, heal, and go back to work in a couple of months and not lose my livelihood. Any amount you feel you can donate large or small is ok and would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Andrew Sole