We’ll get by with a little help from our friends: Help David get a new Hip

Hello, I am Iyawo (Holly Bynoe) and today, I am sharing a humble request for assistance. Amidst all the shame we have inherited, I am at a point in my life where I acknowledge the wealth, value and love I have poured into my friendships, sisterhood, and creative community. I am sharing this invitation with you to stand with my husband, David and I as we enter a very challenging health moment.

Early in David's life, while he was in the military and after that at tough manual jobs, he injured his left hip. Twenty-plus years later, and unable to afford surgery, his hip has deteriorated due to his livelihood and a series of jobs that also took a toll on his body. Recently, he was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease, which means that he has lost a substantial portion of his mobility, and of course, this condition is excruciating. After a near-fatal car accident last March, which worsened the illness, we heard a few weeks that our insurance wouldn't cover any aspect of this surgery.

We are still awaiting official communication from them on why (yes, I am side-eyeing you Sagicor).

However, there are silver linings everywhere! We have been working with an excellent doctor here in Barbados, Tamara Nancoo, at the Caribbean Sports Orthopaedic Clinic, who has been kind, offering a discount for her services. We have a confirmed surgery date, Friday, August 26th, and received an estimate of $36,000USD or $72,000 Barbados dollars for all aspects of the surgery, including therapy, rehab, tests, implant and hospital fees.

We are reaching out, putting shame behind us, and walking into the path of asking for help when we need it. David deserves a long, able, adventure-filled life. I want him to feel and know that he has a community of people who love and support him. More so, I wish for him to be able to heal, as I think he has started to believe that living a pain-free and able life is a dream.

I want to help him make this dream come true/through. I am sharing this because you have expressed care and love for me, because you support me and perhaps because you have the financial means to give a little or a lot to our collective friendship pot.

If you receive this with an open heart and think you can contribute in any way, we would be so grateful. If you can't give due to your financial realities or other commitments and there are others in your network who you think can give by hearing the need, do share this campaign. If you can't make a financial contribution and want to send us good energies to cross this hurdle, hold us in your prayers.

We believe that healthcare in our vulnerable countries remains discriminatory and punitive. As someone who gave six years to Barbados, serving in the military (Coast Guard) as a youth, now facing this debilitating future, there must be some justice in his healing. I believe David will be blessed and healed by the outpouring of love from our communities.

Finally, I believe that someone with a heart as big as his will come into healing and this surgery effortlessly. He has unmatched goodwill, kindness and community spirit, and I am proud to learn from him with tenderness. I believe that David's collection time is overdue, and we want to move with grace into the reception of his healing; I know we can get closer to this healing and turn the page onto a more able future with your gracious support and love.

Thank you always and forever.

Yours,

With faith, gratitude and love.

Iyawo and David.