But all that fighting caught up to him later in life as he dealt with the effects of multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBI), coupled with severe post-traumatic stress. After learning to live with the pain and agony that he managed through a cocktail of prescribed medication, he took a dramatic step and pursued psychedelic treatment outside the United States.
In a miraculous transformation, the treatment worked.
Tim kicked all the medication, no longer lives with debilitating pain, and gives back to the veteran community through his artwork by creating and selling beautifully hand-crafted custom skateboards. He donates the proceeds to nonprofit organizations aimed at helping heal our nation’s warriors.
Tim and his wife then went on to have two sons, Sawyer and Liam, to continue living the American dream.
But that dream has turned into a nightmare as his wife is currently fighting for her survival.
A Mom’s Fight to Raise Her Children
His wife, Tabitha DeMaio, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Her prognosis isn’t good but there’s hope for her.
“Everything I’ve ever wanted in life is right here: two tiny hands in each of mine, giggling in the hallway, learning to say ‘Mama,’ reaching for me when they’re scared or tired or need comfort. I dream of school pickups, bedtime stories, first heartbreaks, and watching them grow into strong, kind men. But I’m fighting for the chance to be here for those moments,” Tabitha said. [Support Tabitha HERE.]
She continued, “In August 2024, just weeks after giving birth to Liam, I was diagnosed with stage IV triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms. I had noticed a lump while pregnant and asked for imaging, but was told ‘It’s just milk ducts.’ It wasn’t.”
Since the heart-breaking diagnosis, Tabitha has undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and whole-brain radiation. Despite all the treatment, the cancer continues to spread.
“My doctors keep saying, ‘Your cancer isn’t behaving.’ But I won’t accept that. I can’t because I’m not done being their mom,” Tabitha said.
The DeMaio family is clinging on to hope as there is a possibility of recovery. But it’s not a simple plan, and it’s not cheap.
“There is a treatment in Munich, Germany, a dendritic cell vaccine, that gives me real hope. It works by retraining my own immune system to recognize and destroy the cancer. It’s not covered by insurance and costs over $35,000, including travel. I’ve applied to clinical trials here in the U.S., but being BRCA1+ has made me ineligible. This treatment may be my last chance,” Tabitha said.
After watching her husband overcome the incredible odds of beating post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries from years of war, their future looked promising and bright – that was cut short.
And Tabitha isn’t asking for much.
“I’m not asking for a miracle, I’m asking for time. Time to raise my boys. Time to hold their hands a little longer. Time to be their safe place in a world that’s already asked too much of them too soon,” she said.
You can help the DeMaio family by donating through their GoFundMe page. It will go a long way in helping to fund new medical treatment as well as give the family hope for more time. Your contribution will also have a direct impact on helping the children get through this difficult time.
“To honor each of you who help me fight this battle, I will write your name on a heart and hang it on the wall in my home, a wall my boys will grow up seeing. One day, they’ll know the names of the people who gave their mom the chance to stay,” she said.
You will help the DeMaio family both financially and by helping the children understand the love humanity can provide at one of their darkest moments.
If Tabitha’s medical treatment is successful, your contribution will also go a long way to help improve our medical system here in America. If there is one thing every American can agree on, is that we need better medical care for our fellow citizens.
Donating to this cause is a great start.
To learn more about Tabitha DeMaio visit her GoFundMe page HERE. To learn more about her husband, his story, and his philanthropic work, visit his website https://berserkerbuilt.com/ and follow his Instagram account HERE.
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
