08/01/2024
The Shimkos are a local family who reside in Ellwood City, PA.
In January of 2024, Officer Josh Shimko responded to a horrendous su***de in Cranberry Township, PA. Shortly after, he reached out to his department for help, knowing that he was spiraling into a dark place because of that call and that something wasn’t right with him.
Ultimately as a result of his response that day, he was diagnosed with PTSD, severe depression and anxiety. Additionally, constantly recurring nightmares had rendered him sleepless.
Instead of being permitted to take a medical leave to seek treatment for this on the job cause of illness, he was forced to take all of his own sick time and vacation time and beyond that time even when his treatment included a 60 day stay away from his family in a facility in Florida.
This again has led to undo hardship for his wife and children.
He is currently fighting workman’s comp for coverage, and hasn’t been able to work since January. His case has once again been continued which will force him to “pull off the bandaid once again” at the next hearing. Each time he is forced to relive that soul shattering nightmare, is another block to him and his family to recover.
The support t shirts for Officer Shimko are being offered to help defray all of the uncovered expenses that the family has incurred and the cost of training “Willow” Josh’s PTSD service dog. Please use this order form: https://forms.gle/jFHmHkwicmBEfCFu8 These shirts are $25 each. If shipping is required, buyer pays shipping.
If anyone wishes to show additional support, or without purchase, they may do so at: https://gofund.me/9b87eec1