Help Josh & Mandi

(Pictured above, from left: Taylor, Emma, Jana, Caleb, Henrik, Landen, Josh, Dallas, and Mandi.)

Josh takes a lot of pride in his work as a finish carpenter. Talk with him for more than 15 minutes and he's likely to pull out his phone to show you the latest breathtaking piece of crown molding he's been working on.

Unfortunately, Josh's work has also been slowly taking a toll on his body. For at least a decade Josh has battled back injuries and chronic back pain.

For much of that time, Josh and his doctors had been able to manage his pain with medication and physical therapies.

But recently his symptoms have become much, much worse. Josh has been suffering from debilitating pain and lack of mobility. Despite medications, two surgeries, and Josh's stubborn work ethic, he has been unable to return to the job site.

It's still unclear what the long-term prospects are for Josh to return to work as a finish carpenter. The recovery from his latest surgery has not gone as planned and his doctors are recommending more tests to explore his options -- which could include yet more surgery.

In the meantime, Josh & Mandi are now without their main source of income. They have four beautiful children to care for: Dallas, Emma, Taylor, and Landen. They also have a mortgage and van payment to make each month. Mandi is taking every shift she can get at the hospital, but it is not enough. 

Josh & Mandi are exploring the possibility of applying for social security disability. If approved, the first disability benefit would be payed out six months after the social security administration determines his disability began.

This fundraiser is designed to help Josh & Mandi manage those next six months or so until Josh recovers, disability payments begin, or they can make some other transition into a more permanent solution.

Josh would probably never ask for help like this. He and Mandi do not know about this fundraiser and we ask that it remain that way until we are ready to share the proceeds with him.

Josh has literally worked his body to the breaking point to support his family. We feel it is the least we can do as Josh's family to help him right now.  We hope you will join us.