A New Port Richey man who has spent most his life helping others is now the one in need.

"Since I can remember when I was 4 years old, I wanted to be a Marine and a fireman, and I got to do both of those," said Pete Bignotti.

Bignotti has chased his dreams and accomplished a lot in his 30 years. The former Marine and police officer, and now a firefighter and surgery technician, has served in deployments overseas.

"Helping people is my passion, I enjoy it the most," he said.

But about two weeks ago when thought he pinched a nerve in his back he ended up in the same hospital that he works at, Mease Countryside Hospital.

"When he came into the hospital, he was paralyzed with no feeling from the waist down, and then on Wednesday of last week it moved up from the chest down," said Bignotti’s mother, Mary Jane Riel.

Bignotti was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis.

"It causes me to lose all sensation, so I have no feeling whatsoever from my nipple line down," said Bignotti.

Since then he’s been confined to a bed while also being the sole provider for his family of five.

"It is difficult for them to see him like this, they [the kids] don't really understand, you know, when are you coming home daddy we want to play," said Bignotti’s wife, Gail.

Gail is a stay-at-home mother. They have an 8-year-old daughter, 5-year-old son, and 8-month-old niece they take care of.

With Bignotti’s illness, it has made it difficult for him to see his own future, one that was so clear.

"The doctors have said that he may be out of work six months to a year, what he has is going to be a very long recovery," said Riel.

Bignotti has insurance but all the costs are piling up, so his family is trying to raise money

"I like to be the one helping somebody and it's hard to turn around and ask someone else for help, it really is," he said.

Bignotti will be in the hospital for a few more treatments after that he will hopefully be able to begin rehab so he can walk again. It could be several months before he can return home.