Support Johnell Holman's Journey to Recovery and Stability

My name is Johnell "Jay" Holman, and I’m a 14-year Navy veteran who has spent my life serving others—first in the military, then as a contractor in Iraq; as a small business owner, and as a campaign manager and organizer supporting local candidates on every level including my own bid for the General Assembly. But in December 2022, my entire world was turned upside down.

I went in for what was supposed to be a routine spinal fusion and disc replacement surgery. Instead of finding relief, I woke up to a nightmare: complications from the surgery left me unable to use my lower left side. I haven’t been able to walk since. The work I loved—the work that sustained me—is now impossible. Every day, I’m reminded of what I’ve lost as I struggle just to move around my own home.

I reached out to law firms, hoping someone would listen and help me pursue a case for malpractice, but I’ve been turned away time and again. Meanwhile, I applied for VA disability, thinking that surely my service and my condition would be recognized, but I was awarded only 20%. To make matters worse, I was informed that I won’t receive any benefits until 2031 due to a separation bonus I received over 30 years ago. I feel like I’ve been forgotten by the very systems meant to support me.

The physical challenges have been overwhelming, but the emotional toll has been even harder to bear. My wife of five years—my partner in life—decided that this was not the future she wanted to be a part of. For the past 18 months, I’ve been confined to my home, limited to moving between the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room. I’ve watched my circle of friends shrink to almost nothing. I can count on one hand the number of people who have come by to visit or even check on me. The isolation has been crushing.

Now, I’m just weeks away from losing my home. With no income and no support, I’m facing the real possibility of living in my SUV. I never imagined that life would take this kind of turn—that I would go from being a strong, capable person to someone who feels invisible and helpless. The weight of it all is more than I can carry alone.

I need help securing a safe place to live, where I can focus on rebuilding my life—physically, emotionally, and financially. I’m not looking for handouts; I’m seeking a chance to regain my footing, find a path forward, and ultimately secure a reliable job opportunity.

If you’re able to contribute, share this campaign, or even just send words of encouragement, it would mean more to me than I can express. I’ve always been someone who believed in hard work and perseverance, but I can’t survive this battle on my own. Your support could help lift the weight that’s been crushing me and give me the strength to keep fighting.

Thank you for reading my story, for your kindness, and for helping in any way you can.