A GoFundMe account has been started for well-known Bonner County local and foodie Junior Solis after he received news that one of his legs will need to be amputated.

A single father to three children, Solis suffers from Brittle Bone Disease, Charcot Neuroarthropathy, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. These diseases cause porous, weak bones as well as smaller, weaker muscles. Because of these lifelong illnesses, he has been in several comas, endured multiple bone infections — including sepsis — broken dozens of bones, and been hospitalized more times than he can remember.

These diseases continuously weaken Solis’s immune system, making him highly susceptible to mild illnesses which, in his case, can quickly lead to hospitalization.

Recently, Solis was notified that because of his illnesses, one of his legs must be amputated below the knee due to a clubbed foot. In addition to the amputation, Solis will also have back surgery done at the same time to repair the damaged vertebrae he has incurred due to walking on the injured foot for so long.

After these procedures, Solis faces an extended stay in the hospital before moving into a rehabilitation center for a minimum of three months. He is expected to not be able to return home for a minimum of four months.

The Jan. 26 surgeries and lengthy recovery will cost Solis and his family tens of thousands of dollars, as the procedure is not completely covered by the family’s insurance.

“While this goal will not touch the loss of time and life lived or replace the amputated limb, it will provide mental relief for Junior, his children and immediate family members,” said Erika Cox, the GoFundMe page organizer. “There is no donation too small, or gesture unkind.”

Visit Solis’s GoFundMe page at bit.ly/3TQcME0. Cash donations are also being accepted at Bleeding Hearts Tattoo Emporium.