My name is Michael Silva-Carmona. I served 10 years as a Combat Engineer and Paratrooper, jumping from planes, clearing routes, training others, and leading under pressure. The mission was always bigger than me. Today, the mission is deeply personal. I want to reclaim my health so I can show up for my wife and our three children, grounded in faith and hope.

Years of airborne operations and combat left their mark. Lower back pain, knee injuries, a TBI, migraines, and a shoulder injury have changed how I move and how I sleep. Some days it is nerve pain in my right leg. Other days, it is migraines that stop everything. It is not about going back to the past. I want to move forward with the strength God gives me.

I am a devoted Christian and a proud husband and father. Our sons are 23 and 22, and our daughter is six. I want to be the dad who can carry her on my shoulders, toss a ball in the yard, and be steady and present through the small, everyday moments that matter most.

🏥 The Challenge

My injuries and conditions are the result of years in high-intensity roles, Combat Engineer, Paratrooper, Intelligence NCO in Afghanistan, and instructor at WHINSEC. I live with chronic lower back pain from degenerative disc disease and an L5 to S1 herniation. I have radiculopathy in my right leg. My left shoulder sprain limits movement. My right knee still hurts after ACL surgery, with a secondary strain in my left knee. I sustained a traumatic brain injury and continue to experience frequent, prostrating migraines. I manage PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxiety. I use a CPAP due to obstructive sleep apnea. I also manage GERD, hypertensive heart disease, and persistent tinnitus.

💔 What's At Stake

These conditions shape daily life. High-impact activity increases pain. Prolonged standing or walking aggravates my back, my knees, and my right leg. Overhead or repetitive movements strain my shoulder. Even meals must be timed and chosen carefully because of reflux. The result is simple. I want to be more dependable for my family, to move, sleep, think, and participate with fewer interruptions from pain and symptoms.

🗺️ The Plan

I am pursuing treatment to reduce pain, to stabilize my back and knees, to manage nerve symptoms, and to ease the frequency and severity of migraines. My goal is practical and clear. I want to function more consistently at home, with my family, and in my faith community. These therapies are not fully covered by the VA or insurance, and the out-of-pocket costs are more than we can manage alone.

🤝 How You Can Help

Your support helps me take the next steps in care. It helps me manage pain, improve sleep and mobility, and reduce debilitating symptoms, so I can be the steady husband and father my family needs.

With your help, I am working toward:

Less daily pain and nerve symptoms so I can stand and walk more comfortably
Fewer, less intense migraines so I can keep commitments and be present
Better sleep with improved daytime energy
Reliable participation in family life and community

🙏 Gratitude and Hope

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Every donation, every share, and every prayer makes a real difference. Your support helps me move toward steadier days, so I can show up for my family with faith, resilience, and love.

Michael’s Journey: Healing to Be Present for His Family

“I want to be comfortable again and able to help my kids as they grow up.”