Joshua Everett Johnson’s Loss of Dominant Arm

Aloha everyone.

2 1/2 years ago I lost the use of my Right Arm via a serious shoulder injury that was misdiagnosed in January of 2020.

The ER ordered an MRI but my doctor never did. He sent me to Physical Therapy and an Orthopedic Surgeon who said I had a “Broken Shoulder”. March 2020 came, along with Covid, and my doctor retired. Because of Covid it took 11 1/2 months to get a new doctor and, finally, an MRI. The MRI revealed that for the past year I had been living with a Mangled Labrum, Torn Biceps Tendon (which was attached to the Labrum and yanking on it), as well as a Shredded Rotator Cuff. The Physical Therapy I had undergone had actually shredded the Labrum to an unrepairable state.

In December of 2020, a year after the accident, I underwent Three surgeries. They removed the Biceps Tendon from the Labrum and reattached it, they cleaned up the mangled Rotator Cuff… and then they had a decision to make… Do we leave this shredded Labrum in or take it out completely?

They decided to leave it in. If I was 20 years older, they would have taken it out.

“Let’s see how you can handle the pain, and we’ll see how the scar tissue forms… Otherwise we’ll have to remove it, which will mean a Permanent Loss of shoulder movement. There will be a Loss of Movement no matter what, but let’s just pray for the best…”

So I’ve handled it. By now it’s gotten to the point where I need help. I’ve qualified for Hawai’i State Disability, which means Food Stamps and $380 cash each month. I’ve put together a team of doctors I trust (this took two years), but if I make money on paper, I lose them all. I’ve been living in shelters and scraping by. But there’s a lot of Mental Illness around me, and a lot of drug use, especially Meth. I live sober these days and need some assistance in finding a safer place to be.

My family and friends all lost our homes in the 2018 lava flow. The community scattered, so that’s not an option.

THIS IS THE ASK:

ONE MORE YEAR.

One more year of Physical Therapy and Doctors. Whatever the outcome after this final push I will have to meet with 100% Acceptance. The funds will be used for the Medical Bills my State Insurance doesn’t cover, a Safe Place to live, a Computer (which melted in the 2018 Lava Flow), and, if there’s enough, some form

of transportation.

Very grateful for you taking the time to read this and I hope you’re all doing well out there…

With Love and Gratitude,

Joshua