OKEECHOBEE — An Okeechobee dad spent one of his most difficult Father’s Days this year after losing his leg, his job, and soon, possibly his home.

Sean Eisenhart was riding his e-bike to work early one morning in February when he was hit by a truck and seriously injured. After he was life-flighted to Lawnwood Hospital with an injured left leg, several broken ribs, and injuries to his spleen and a kidney, Sean was put in the ICU where he was intubated and, despite all the medical staff’s efforts, had to have his leg amputated.

In 2016, Sean moved to Okeechobee from Lake Placid because this was where his daughter lived with her mother, and he wanted to be close to her. A recovering addict, Sean survived mostly by doing odd jobs, but sometimes worked longer term. He knows a lot about construction and always enjoyed getting his hands dirty.

At the time of the accident, Sean said he was not using and was living out on 15-A. Each day, he rode his e-bike back and forth to work. On the day of the accident, he was heading home after a long day at work when the truck hit him. “I don’t know what happened,” he said. I only know that a truck hit me.” There were no witnesses to the accident, but the truck driver stayed with him until help arrived.

“They life-flighted me on the 18^th to Lawnwood. I was there for about nine days, and then they finally decided, I guess, they couldn’t do what needed to be done on my leg. They shipped me down to Kendall Hospital in Miami. When I got there, the surgeons said it was way too late to save my leg.” He explained that the road rash and the infection had already spread and gotten into his blood. After six debridement surgeries, they said they would have to amputate.

A local group called Okeechobee Together started the 441 Recovery Project to help Sean by improving his living conditions for his safety and accessibility. If you are interested in helping with this, you can find the group here… 441 Recovery Project

Sean said he realizes his history of drug abuse might make some people hesitant to help him, but he needs help and is doing the best he can to stay clean despite losing his leg. “I never sold drugs. I never beat on no woman. I have some old petty theft charges. It is what it is. I can’t change the past. I can just go forward from here.”

Released from the hospital with no plan of action. Sean has had no physical therapy, but was able to get on Medicaid. He was told if he got a primary care doctor, that doctor could help him get physical therapy and home help, but he does not have a primary care yet. He has been trying to get on disability but has been unsuccessful so far.

With no income, he has not been able to pay his landlord and fears he will be evicted any day. Sean has been trying to find a job he can do with only one leg. “I’m willing to work. The problem is finding a job that will take me, and then I have to find a way to get back and forth every day. Even if I still had my bike, I doubt I could ride it.”

Sean’s daughter Cassidy is 17 and, in an attempt, to help him cover medical bills, food, medicine, lot rent and utilities, created a GoFundMe which can be found here… https://gofund.me/545837f5f

 “I know he is loved by many, and even if you can’t donate, please share this page and keep him in your prayers. Your kindness and support mean the world to us right now,” wrote Cassidy.

Donations can also be made to his CashApp $EHARTS78 or through his phone number 863-447-2838. Any help is greatly appreciated, he said.

If anyone would feel better donating directly to his landlord, Sean can give you that information as well, he said.