Story

Dear carers, donators and sharers, To all of you viewing this message, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This account is being started for Zach. Our beloved friend Zach who has been struggling this past year through the medical systems to try and get treatment for his work injury. It all started at the end of 2024, Zach works as a pet store professional, he loves animals and initially went to school to become a vet tech and quickly found out that doing that for a living earns less than a pet store technician, so instead, he took that path to earn himself a little extra money. As he has been working here since 2022, and they regularly need to carry large bags for inventorying around the store that weigh anywhere from 25-90 lbs (i.e. some dog food bags weigh about 50lbs). One of the times he was told to move these heavy dog food bags, he asked his manager to go and get one of the carts they had so that he could easily move it to the front of the store, but instead his manager insisted that he move it right away and to “not waste resources” and that they need it “at the front of the store right now”. So, he went to move the bag and as he was placing it down, he said he heard a loud pop and just a few days later, he could barely be on his feet without debilitating pain preventing him from moving. On March 17th, 2025 he was misdiagnosed by his doctor with muscle strain of his back muscles. From this diagnosis he was being treated with physical therapy 3 times a week until mid April. This was figured out on April 28th with an MRI to be a misdiagnosis as the pain continued even with physical therapy and pain management. From this MRI, he was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his lower back and now needs to walk with a cane and was told by his doctor to not lift more than 10 lbs. All the while, he is still working, waiting for insurance to approve treatments, like cortisone epidurals to try and alleviate the pain. Even a small amount helps, so that Zach can use this for medical treatments. While working, his restrictions were not approved by the insurance and had to lift things, bend down, and walk without assistance for a little over 3 months. His restrictions were finally approved on June 18th and lasted until July 11th after he got his treatments/epidurals until late May which is the next best treatment to surgery. At this point he has had 2 epidurals, they would help for a bit but have not alleviated the pain completely. His doctor says that they can do one more treatment, but it might be best if they just do surgery to help alleviate the pain. All of this is to say that we are humbly asking you, the reader, if you would be so kind as to donate, even a small amount helps, so that Zach can use this for medical treatments. From epidurals to the cost of the MRI, medications and even a surgery (a microdisectomy) if necessary. We want our friend to be able to focus on healing and feeling better so he can continue to work and serve the animals he loves at his job. Any small amount can help, we hope to reach our goal by the end of the year to cover all of this, so please consider donating today! If you cannot donate, please share this with any friends or family if able. Any spreading of this would be greatly appreciated as we want to help our friend out and he has been struggling enough from the pain and suffering. Help him focus on healing and consider donating or sharing today!