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Hello everyone, sorry for this long post but I really hope it makes sense as to why I’m seeking support.
Two years ago I left the Army without a clear plan. While I was in, I somehow ended up captaining the Alpine Ski Race Team, despite the fact they’d only taught me to ski 8 years earlier. It became the one thing I genuinely loved and felt proud of.
So when I got out, I took a risk and moved to Japan to become a ski instructor.
It was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I loved the work, the people, the lifestyle… everything about it just clicked.
Unfortunately then it all went wrong… In December I had a bad accident on the slopes and completely blew out my knee. ACL rupture, meniscus tear, and bone fractures. I went from being fully active every day to barely being able to move properly.
I decided to stay in Japan for treatment because going back home would’ve meant long waiting times and higher costs. At the time, it felt like the smart decision.
But since then, things have slowly unravelled.
My previous employer promised hours and support during recovery that never materialised. Because of my injury and limited mobility, I can’t work most physical jobs. On top of that, I don’t speak enough Japanese to easily find alternatives.
I’ve been applying for anything I realistically can do, but nothing has come through yet.
Right now I’m struggling to cover basic living costs. Rent, hospital bills, food, even just getting around is becoming difficult. I’ve tried reaching out to charities, but because I’m out of my home country, I don’t qualify for most support.
I hate asking for help like this. I’ve always been someone who just gets on with things and figures it out. But I’ve hit a point where I can’t do that on my own anymore.
If anyone is able to help, even a small amount, it would genuinely make a huge difference in helping me stay afloat while I recover and find a way forward.
And if you can’t donate, even just upvoting this means a lot.
Thank you for your consideration, I am happy to answer any questions you may have about this. I am on the Japanese healthcare system which is very complicated and slightly behind the times but I will try my best to give a full answer