Lupus Survivor Needs Your Help
Donation protected
You ever hear the phrase, "the light at the end of the tunnel"? Has it happened for you?
In 2004, I was a high school senior with a whole life ahead of me. One day a storm came and changed my life forever. I began feeling ill and learned I had kidney failure (both kidneys) due to active Lupus Nephritis. It was six months of chemotherapy, tens of thousands in medical expenses, and re-learning to walk, that I was able to become an active citizen again. Before I explain why I'm raising money, there's something you should understand about me first.
My diagnosis left me unable to complete high school with my graduating class. Although I was homeschooled and completed my final year of high school while confined to a bed, the administration denied me a diploma. Despite this serious injustice, I completed my last year of high school (a second time) while attending my first year of college and keeping a thirty-hour a week job. I was serious about my dreams and still am.
I eventually received a kidney transplant in 2006 thanks to the generosity of a living family member. That blessing carried me for seven wonderful years. I began a career as a computer technician and salesperson. I continued hobbies such as filmmaking and photography. I saw different parts of the world and gave back to my community. I even married my high school sweetheart. Things were in the right direction, but I was about to be tested once more.
In May of 2013, at the peak of my career at a technician, my kidney transplant failed and I had no choice but to live on daily peritoneal dialysis once again. My treatment is every single day for twelve and a half (12.5) hours. It's impossible to sleep, there's an endless amount of expenses to stay healthy. I cannot work a traditional job in this physical condition, so I spend much of my time volunteering for my local parish youth ministry and support friends and family when I can. To add to the madness, the following October of 2013, my marriage crashed and burned. Divorce stripped me of my most important assets. I lost my confidence, my relationships, my hope, and any value I had for myself.
You have have noticed that in my photo, I look happy and healthy. That's because despite my circumstances, I made a conscience decision to not play victim, accept the cards I've been delt, and grow from these events in my life. I've been on my own now for two years. I still live on dialysis everyday (still 12.5 hours), but things are brighter in many areas. I have support, I recovered from depression, I'm paying bills again (barely), I'm in a healthy relationship with a gorgeous lady, I have a kidney transplant coming soon, and I'm motivated to succeed like never before.
I asking for help, because normally it's something I wouldn't do. I think the best things in life happen outside of our comfort zones, so here I am. I have a plan for my life, but I've accepted recently that I can't reach my goals alone. I have a dream to be a business owner. It took about two years of research, but I have a completed business plan. I'm not here to ask you to fund my business. What I'd like to do with the raised funds, is invest in my education. There are certifications that exist that would significantly diversify me in this very competitive job market, and I want to achieve them all. In total, for training , materials, and testing, I would need about $10,000 to be successful in accomplishing this goal.
I suppose I could ask you to help me fund my car, or get me out of low income housing, or help with my medical expenses, or fund my next wedding. You're giving to a man who has an intense desire to achieve something great. All I'm asking for is an opportunity to get back on my feet. I can do the hard work, I can make it happen, but I need these certifications to gain access to the income opportunities I'm seeking. I'm expecting a transplant within the next few months. Post transplant I'll be required to rehab for three months. During this time I will pursue this education and certifications. The day I'm cleared for work, I'm launching my business. It's extremely important to me that I enter the market with proper credentials, experience, credibility, and confidence.
We may never meet, so I'd like to thank you now for even taking time to hear me. I don't expect this fundraiser to work for me, but I hope it does. I need help, and those of you that do, I am eternally grateful. I pray for your health and happiness.
(Sorry about type-o's in advance)
Isaac
I invite you into my life, see your investment.
In 2004, I was a high school senior with a whole life ahead of me. One day a storm came and changed my life forever. I began feeling ill and learned I had kidney failure (both kidneys) due to active Lupus Nephritis. It was six months of chemotherapy, tens of thousands in medical expenses, and re-learning to walk, that I was able to become an active citizen again. Before I explain why I'm raising money, there's something you should understand about me first.
My diagnosis left me unable to complete high school with my graduating class. Although I was homeschooled and completed my final year of high school while confined to a bed, the administration denied me a diploma. Despite this serious injustice, I completed my last year of high school (a second time) while attending my first year of college and keeping a thirty-hour a week job. I was serious about my dreams and still am.
I eventually received a kidney transplant in 2006 thanks to the generosity of a living family member. That blessing carried me for seven wonderful years. I began a career as a computer technician and salesperson. I continued hobbies such as filmmaking and photography. I saw different parts of the world and gave back to my community. I even married my high school sweetheart. Things were in the right direction, but I was about to be tested once more.
In May of 2013, at the peak of my career at a technician, my kidney transplant failed and I had no choice but to live on daily peritoneal dialysis once again. My treatment is every single day for twelve and a half (12.5) hours. It's impossible to sleep, there's an endless amount of expenses to stay healthy. I cannot work a traditional job in this physical condition, so I spend much of my time volunteering for my local parish youth ministry and support friends and family when I can. To add to the madness, the following October of 2013, my marriage crashed and burned. Divorce stripped me of my most important assets. I lost my confidence, my relationships, my hope, and any value I had for myself.
You have have noticed that in my photo, I look happy and healthy. That's because despite my circumstances, I made a conscience decision to not play victim, accept the cards I've been delt, and grow from these events in my life. I've been on my own now for two years. I still live on dialysis everyday (still 12.5 hours), but things are brighter in many areas. I have support, I recovered from depression, I'm paying bills again (barely), I'm in a healthy relationship with a gorgeous lady, I have a kidney transplant coming soon, and I'm motivated to succeed like never before.
I asking for help, because normally it's something I wouldn't do. I think the best things in life happen outside of our comfort zones, so here I am. I have a plan for my life, but I've accepted recently that I can't reach my goals alone. I have a dream to be a business owner. It took about two years of research, but I have a completed business plan. I'm not here to ask you to fund my business. What I'd like to do with the raised funds, is invest in my education. There are certifications that exist that would significantly diversify me in this very competitive job market, and I want to achieve them all. In total, for training , materials, and testing, I would need about $10,000 to be successful in accomplishing this goal.
I suppose I could ask you to help me fund my car, or get me out of low income housing, or help with my medical expenses, or fund my next wedding. You're giving to a man who has an intense desire to achieve something great. All I'm asking for is an opportunity to get back on my feet. I can do the hard work, I can make it happen, but I need these certifications to gain access to the income opportunities I'm seeking. I'm expecting a transplant within the next few months. Post transplant I'll be required to rehab for three months. During this time I will pursue this education and certifications. The day I'm cleared for work, I'm launching my business. It's extremely important to me that I enter the market with proper credentials, experience, credibility, and confidence.
We may never meet, so I'd like to thank you now for even taking time to hear me. I don't expect this fundraiser to work for me, but I hope it does. I need help, and those of you that do, I am eternally grateful. I pray for your health and happiness.
(Sorry about type-o's in advance)
Isaac
I invite you into my life, see your investment.
Organizer
Isaac Perez
Organizer
San Fernando, CA
