Help me stay on my feet

Hey. Hey,

my name is Michael, and I never thought I'd find myself in a situation where I'd have to ask for help. But now I really don't know where else to turn.

I have both knees in bad shape. The pain is daily, sometimes so severe that it's hard to even get out of bed, let alone work. The doctors have told me that without surgery it will only get worse. The problem is that the surgeries mean at least a year of recovery - a year where I wouldn't be able to work.

I'm self-employed. I have no sick pay, no facilities to support me. If I stopped working for a year, I'd lose everything I've built up for myself over the years. I'm not just talking about a job - I'd lose the opportunity to live with dignity. It's very hard to fall into this trap of having to choose between health and survival. Except for my parents, I've tried to keep it a secret from everyone for years because I'm ashamed of it.

That's why I'm here. I'm asking for your help - so that I can undergo surgeries that will give me a chance to walk normally again, to live without pain, and most importantly to return to work after a while and stand firmly on my own two feet again. Literally.

Every contribution, big or small, means hope to me. And even if you can't contribute, maybe it will help if you pass this story on.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Michael