Jose Daniel’s Shoulder Surgery

When José was a teenager, he fell out of a crowded, moving bus in Nicaragua and severely damaged his shoulder. He had one surgery in Nica, but it did not solve the problem. Since then, his shoulder dislocates about once a year during random activities— in May of 2021, it dislocated while he was sleeping (yes, literally in his sleep).

José has been living in chronic pain for over a decade, and every time his shoulder inevitably dislocates again, the problem gets worse and worse. It has affected his life (he can no longer play fútbol or swim like he once could, he cannot sleep comfortably), as well as his mental health.

We put off the surgery in May because of Covid here in Taiwan, and also due to the fact that José had gotten laid off and was out of work at that time, and I was supporting us. This surgery is necessary for his future quality of life and mental health, and especially as a guitar player.

Private insurance won’t cover him because this is a pre-existing condition, and national health insurance won’t pay for the tools needed to perform the surgery. Doctors have quoted the surgery as costing between 80,000-160,000 NTD (3,000-6,000 USD).

It is challenging to navigate a medical system in a foreign country, in your second or third language, and sadly the hospitals here aren't willing to offer payment plans. We appreciate any help at all in helping us fund this surgery.