Someone stabbed me and took my Visa
http://abc7chicago.com/news/british-student-robbed-stabbed-in-chicago-must-fly-home-to-replace-stolen-visa-/1071681/
Hello, I'm Neil. I wouldn’t normally ask for a handout but I've found myself in a bit of a pickle after being robbed and stabbed on a trip to Chicago with my girlfriend and having my passport and student visa stolen in the process.
The story made the news on a few stations in Chicago and back home in England, partly because I fought the robbers back but also because the robbery happened in part of the city that is usually quite safe. I've included links below to a few of the news stories.
Being stabbed, as I’m sure you can imagine, wasn’t great. I’d even go as far as to say it sucked. It sucked quite a lot. But that isn’t the reason I’m writing to the world asking for help. I’m fairly certain my student medical insurance covers most of my medical bills.
The reason I ask for help is this: In my experience, the only thing that sucks harder than getting stabbed while defending your American girlfriend in an American city from American armed robbers, is the fact that America requires that you go back to England if you want any chance at replacing your stolen visa. I just can’t afford that trip right now.
To provide a little background, I served in Afghanistan with the Royal Air Force as an intelligence analyst and Pashto linguist, very much in support of U.S. operations. I served for five and a half years and managed to save up some money. When I left last year I took all of the money I’d saved and invested it in an education at the University of Minnesota where I am now studying for a Masters in Security Technologies. It was always a huge risk investing everything I had, but it was one I felt comfortable taking - the field I was looking to move into seemed like a great place to be and that was the way to get there.
Right now I’m happier than hell. I’m living with my girlfriend, I love what I’m studying, I just discovered fantasy football, I got a job on campus, the future seems bright! – I just didn’t leave enough in my ‘getting stabbed’ reserve fund for flying home.
The internet is a powerful beast and the people that comprise it are capable of incredible acts of kindness. I know that my appeal perhaps doesn’t evoke emotion in the way that some do, and that it makes the odd joke or sarcastic sounding comment (I think it’s a British thing) but I am sincere. I love America and I am in a bad situation. If anyone would be kind enough to donate a dollar or two to my cause I would appreciate it massively. And when I’m in a better situation I’ll pass the favor forward.
Thanks a lot,
Neil McCarthy
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-34655459
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/crime/38876600-story
http://abc7chicago.com/news/2-robbed-at-knifepoint-near-oak-street-beach-police-say/1050356/
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/ex-raf-man-ignored-stab-6720434
http://www.unilad.co.uk/crime/raf-veteran-overpowers-three-armed-muggers-while-on-holiday-in-chicago/
http://wgntv.com/2015/10/25/man-visiting-chicago-with-girlfriend-gets-stabbed-then-fights-back/
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/10/26/tourist-stabbed-after-fighting-back-against-muggers-at-oak-street-beach/
