Help Rick Mickhail's healing journey together

Hello my name is Katy Mickhail, and I am reaching out on behalf of my amazing husband, Rick. We have been together for 20 years, and during this time, Rick has proven to be the most dedicated, loving, and selfless husband and father I could have ever hoped for. Aside from that, he is one of the most genuine and hardworking human beings I have ever encountered. He has served our country in the armed forces and has always gone through life with an unwavering determination. Rick has organized many fundraisers for his family, friends, and strangers. Rick is just an all-around great guy who has a heart of gold.

Rick cares deeply about the well-being of others and treats his friends like family. He is always willing to put what he is doing aside to lend a hand to those in need. I’m sure that everyone who knows my husband would attest to this. It breaks my heart to see him being the one in dire need now. The events of the past year have been a lot to handle and have left us in a very difficult situation.

Rick is constantly experiencing unbelievable pain due to a car accident that occurred on March 23, 2023. He was T-Boned by a large truck, resulting in his jeep being shoved and launched uncontrollably onto the median, which caused severe damage to his body. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors informed him that he needed an emergency multi-level spinal fusion on his L3-S1. The impact was so intense that it also damaged his neck and some of his teeth. However, he couldn't undergo the surgery right away. We were hoping to sort out our affairs before the operation, which we knew would render him incapable of taking care of things the way he always has.

Since his accident, Rick has undergone multiple MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, and epidurals on his back and neck, in addition to numerous doctor appointments. He experiences chronic, excruciating pain in his back, legs, neck, shoulder, arm, and hand. He also suffers from post-concussive syndrome, he has also been diagnosed with TBI- traumatic brain injury. As a result, they have concluded that he will not be able to work for the foreseeable future. Just when we thought we were coming to terms with how much our lives had changed, things took a turn for the worse.

One month after the accident, our home was destroyed due to a septic field flood. A contractor for a big electrical company in the area had driven a huge truck over our septic field, crushing the pipes and forcing raw sewage water into our home, basement, and main floor. Despite repeated attempts to get the electrical company to take responsibility, we were forced to make an insurance claim. Our house was deemed uninhabitable, giving us only two days to gather whatever we could salvage and put it into storage. We had to move to a hotel for just under three months before relocating to a rental home while the damage to our house was being repaired. As if that wasn't enough, I also fell and broke my knee at the end of July.

Rick needs to have surgery right away to fix his pinched nerves, narrowed spinal canal, and collapsed vertebrae. Unfortunately, the nerve pinch in his neck caused by the accident will need to be fused first. He is in constant pain and misses coaching our son's football teams. Rick continues to endure severe pain, but he keeps up a happy demeanor anywhere he goes. He has always been the sole provider for our family and to make ends meet, I have returned to work as a substitute teacher. It has been the hardest thing for Rick to come to terms with all of this. If you know him he does not want to ask for help.

So because of these events we are struggling financially. and have set up a GoFundMe page to seek help.

Despite the challenges, we remain hopeful that our family will eventually get back on its feet. We understand that Rick's healing process will be long, but believe that, with the love and support of our friends, family, and even strangers, we can get through this tough time.

It's hard to express how grateful we are for the kindness and generosity of those who have helped and now that are willing to help. Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to them all.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can offer us.

With all of love, the Mickhail family.