MEET JEFF

We first met Jeff in a restaurant. An Army pack hung from the back of his wheelchair as he dined on pizza with his family. Never one to pass up an opportunity to thank our soldiers, our Florida American Legion Department Adjutant approached Jeff to express gratitude for his service and handed him a business card, encouraging him to reach out if he ever needed anything.

Three months later, Jeff called. Jeff, a United States Army veteran, had sustained a combat-related injury to his leg, causing severe nerve damage and limited mobility. For six years, he saw doctor after doctor—16 in total—without finding relief from the constant pain.

Just as he was losing hope, Jeff visited a new doctor who presented a promising solution: a below-the-knee amputation with a high probability of living pain-free and the possibility of walking again. Jeff decided to go ahead with the surgery, scheduled to take place just one week later. With an out-of-town surgery date quickly approaching and a family to care for, Jeff needed help. PROJECT: VetRelief stepped in to assist with travel and meal costs, allowing his family—his parents, wife, and three children—to remain by his bedside.

Thanks to PROJECT: VetRelief, Jeff could focus on his recovery, knowing his family was taken care of during this critical time.