Firefighter Battling Spinal Cord Damage

Monthly Goal:

 USD $350

Total Raised:

 USD $126

Raised this month:

 USD $0

Campaign created by Timothy Griffiths

Campaign funds will be received by Timothy Griffiths

Firefighter Battling Spinal Cord Damage

Tim has dedicated his life to serving others, volunteering as a firefighter at three different companies since he was 14. He's spent a decade helping save lives and property with Union Fire Company. He was also a volunteer with the Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance for several years and served at his now defunct church Trinity E.C. Church of Shamokin.


Unfortunately, Tim's back, which has bothered him off and on for years, took a turn for the worse in 2022. After numerous ER visits, doctors discovered he had developed cauda equina syndrome, a serious condition requiring immediate surgery. Even after surgery, the nerve damage is permanent. The constant nerve pain makes it difficult for Tim to even sit comfortably, let alone work a traditional job. His right leg is also significantly affected. Medications haven't helped much and steroidal shots in his back don't help for too long.


Tim has been searching for remote work with no luck, and the financial strain is mounting. He lost his vehicle due to unpaid bills, and the wait for Social Security Disability can take months or even years.


We're asking for your help to get Tim back on his feet. A donation of any amount would go a long way in helping Tim cover his bills until he finds some kind of gainful employment. Suggestions for work from home jobs are also super helpful. Sharing this campaign with your network would also be a huge support! Prayers also greatly appreciated!

Recent Donations
Show:
Anonymous Giver
$ 20.00 USD
1 month ago

TYFYC, Tim! Keep your faith in God and pray for strength. I’ve found great benefits with alternative medical advice online; helped me start healing chronic pain and neuropathy, until I could afford visits to practitioners. Perhaps you may find some relief there that mainstream docs can’t provide. Dr. Berg on YouTube has lots about anti-inflammatory foods, which greatly help reduce my pain.

Anonymous Giver
$ 6.00 USD
2 months ago

Anonymous Giver
$ 100.00 USD
3 months ago

Updates

Update #5

February 11th, 2025

Still waiting for a hearing date from SSA. 

Request for hearing

January 29th, 2025

Hi everyone,


I wanted to provide a brief update: My attorney is in the process of submitting a request for a hearing (if she hasn’t done so already). I’ll keep you informed as things progress.


Thank you all so much for your support during this challenging time. If you’re able, I kindly ask that you consider sharing my GoFundMe campaign again to help spread the word. Based on what I’ve learned, this journey may be lengthy, and every bit of support—whether through shares, donations, or encouragement—makes an enormous difference.  


Your generosity has already meant the world to me, and I’m endlessly grateful to have such a caring community by my side. Thank you!!!!!!!!

January 2024 Update

January 20th, 2025

Hi everyone,

Last week, I received a denial letter from the Social Security Administration. Despite acknowledging that my issues are severe, they believe I can still work. The reality is, I can’t even sit in a regular chair for more than half an hour. This was painfully clear when I tried working at AT&T in August 2023. After just one month, I had to quit due to the constant pain, even though the job only required minimal physical effort, like lifting a box of demo phones or taking out the trash. I couldn’t even manage that.


Some of my family (yes, you) think I’m just being lazy. But I tried to go back to work after my surgery, even though I could have applied for SSI right away. I didn’t have to, but I wanted to work. I still do. But the truth is, I can’t. Sitting on my couch hurts. Lying in bed hurts. Existing hurts.


We’re appealing the decision, and now it’s going to a hearing. I have no idea how I’m going to get through a few more months without income. This whole situation is just crazy. Thank you again for donating and sharing. Things are getting worse financially. I don’t even have a real bank account now. Just PayPal. 

Christmas update

December 23rd, 2024

Nothing new since the last update. I’m still waiting for the Social Security Administration to do something since I submitted additional documentation that they requested. Thank you all for your support!

Thanksgiving Update

December 1st, 2024

Thanks a bunch to everyone who’s donated and shared! I really appreciate it. Right now, I’m waiting on the Social Security Administration to receive the paperwork I had to fill out and process it. They’ll probably send me to a doctor to confirm everything. I guess years of medical records of my back problems aren’t enough. I’m guessing I’ll get denied again and then have to go in front of one of their administrative judges with my attorney. I somehow need to keep going for another 1-3 months at a minimum. 

I have some extra assets that I can sell, but they’re in my shed and blocked by a heavy table (to me) plus a couple of other things. I carried a couple of boxes weighing about 20 pounds the other day and I was in a lot of pain afterwards. I had the strangest feeling while I was holding the last one: it felt like my bladder was full and I had just gotten to the bathroom like 20 minutes before. That’s a new one. That’s never happened before.


Thanks again, everyone! Please keep sharing! My internet gets turned off next week and that’s how I do most of my doctor’s appointments. My phone will get shut off in about two weeks.

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