After falling 12 feet into a solid concrete tank in 2019, Patsch initially walked away with what seemed like a minor injury -- a broken elbow.

But what followed were years of relentless back pain, numbness, and weakness that doctors continuously brushed off, his girlfriend said.

Now, after an emergency surgery in 2023 barely saved him from paralysis, Patsch needs a second, more complex spinal surgery -- costing upwards of $40,000 -- to restore his health and get back to the life he planned, according to his loved ones.

"For four years, he endured radiating pain from his lower back up to his shoulders and down his legs, severe nerve pain, limb and extremity weakness, and numbness," his girlfriend of five years, Faith Fornarotto, wrote in a heartfelt GoFundMe campaign

"Doctors suspected he had a bulging disc, but being that he is in his early 20s, no doctor felt it was worth operating on," she added. "As the years progressed, he spent longer spans immobile in bed, and every day he spent in chronic pain."

Patsch's severe condition came further to light when an intuitive physician's assistant was "disturbed" by the severity of his symptoms, and contacted a doctor she studied under.

"Despite being on vacation, he instructed us to immediately rush to the ER where he would perform emergency surgery the very next morning," Fornarotto said. "Had this doctor not been alerted to Micah's case, he was certain he would have been paralyzed."

The next procedure, considered experimental, will replace two deteriorating spinal discs and give Patsch the chance to return to the work he loves after consulting with one of the world's leading neurosurgeons.

"For well over a year, we've tried everything in our power to raise the funds, from working overtime to searching far and wide for grants, and nothing has come of our efforts" Fornarotto added.

"It has now been over a year since the doctor urged Micah to schedule this surgery.

"However, his previous surgery completely drained his finances, and on top of the medical costs, he was unable to work for four months."

The couple has already raised more than $11,000 of the $40,000 goal of the fundraiser.

"His loved ones have watched his physical and mental health decline drastically," Fornarotto shared. "Now, he just needs this final step to regain his life."

Patsch's surgeon, moved by his determination, has already reduced the cost by thousands, but thousands still need to be raised to help offset medical bills and basic living expenses while he is out of work for months.

The GoFundMe can be found here.

"Obviously, this is an expensive surgery; but he would have to change his career without it," Patsch's father posted on Facebook. "He loves what he does and believes this is what God wants him to do."