I have been active throughout my life and devoted the past two decades to studying and practicing healing work, including 25 years of yoga, qi gong and energy practices.

Five years ago, everything changed all at once and without warning.   I have had little opportunity to recover since then.

First, I injured my meniscus during a retreat. When I returned home, my partnership and shared parenting of our young son ended. Within months of the separation, I also had to move out of our home while covering all the bills for the remaining six months. My business and earning power also suffered a big blow.  After investing in a healing space for a year, the building was unexpectedly sold.  I was forced to relocate my business. 

The past five years have been the most challenging of my life as I recovered from burnout as a bodyworker and teacher. Overnight, I was left with $10,000 in debt and lost most of my business. I had to keep working through significant pain in my arms and knee, pushing my body beyond its limits. My knee injury kept me from the physical and spiritual practices that had sustained me for 20 years. My credit suffered, my business barely survived, and I carried the emotional weight of the fallout with very little support.  Depression followed as I gradually realized that the physical activity and athleticism that had shaped my life were largely out of reach, along with the stability of a career I had relied on for the previous 15 years. I continued doing what I could to heal, but the damage had already been done.

Throughout, and especially over the past year, I have been my son’s primary caregiver. He is a wonderful 10-year-old who is neurodivergent and has AuDHD and PDA, needing significant attention and support. He was deeply affected by the separation of his parents, and I had to withdraw him from school for six months to help him through this early period. Meeting his needs while managing school-related challenges and the everyday demands of parenting took and has taken a substantial toll on my physical and mental health. Thankfully, he is back in school, but I frequently need to rearrange my schedule and responsibilities at a moment’s notice when he struggles and can not attend.

 Over the past four to five months, my knee has worsened significantly. Walking has become difficult, and a few months ago I had to stop teaching my regular qi gong classes.

Two doctors and an osteopath agree that the cartilage in my knee has deteriorated to the point that I need a total knee replacement. I have also developed rheumatoid arthritis in my arms and wrists, an autoimmune disease likely affected by the constant stress over the past five years.  By the end of the day, I often need a cane. 

The only way out of this unsustainable situation is to have a total knee replacement.  It is scheduled for September 29. I am asking my community for support during this time.

I have been self-employed for nearly 15 years and have never been able to afford health insurance.  The surgery alone is expected to cost more than $25,000. I will be unable to work for at least four weeks, and possibly longer. My recovery will require physical therapy several times a week for at least a month, as well as in-home care. Because I already can barely cover my expenses, I will be unable to pay my bills while I am not working. I also will not be able to care for my son for at least a few weeks and will need help with school transportation, meals, and other daily needs. 

A friend has offered to help care for me, prepare meals, and support me during recovery. I still need assistance caring for my son and covering rent, bills, and other living expenses while I am unable to work.

Until the surgery, I will continue offering Somatic Bodywork, Yi Jing, Divination, Spiritual gGuidance, and Healing sessions.

You can support me by booking a session online or donating through the link below to help cover these upcoming expenses. 

Because the exact costs are not yet known, I have assessed the expenses I expect to cover during this time. Below is a breakdown:

Surgery: $25,000

Rent, utilities, and food: $4,500 for one month or $9,000 for two months

Doctor visits: $2,400

Medications: $800

Physical therapy: $2,400

Rental of cooling/compression and other medical equipment: $1400

Possible childcare support for my son: $1000

Miscellaneous and unforeseen expenses: $1000

Fundraising goal (based on two months of living expenses): $43000.

I sincerely appreciate amount donated. 

In gratitude,

Joshua