A Camera for David
Donation protected
My name is Alyssa. I'm a 26 year-old student living in Chicago, IL. That's me in the photo above, with my younger brothers. The big, handsome guy on the left is David. This fund is for him.
David was born in January 1999. I was 10 years old at the time. He quickly outgrew me and now, even though he is my 16 year-old little brother, he can (and does) pick me up and carry me around sometimes. He's my protector. When life falls apart, he is always there helping to pick up the pieces. He's always been the least selfish person I know. I'm creating this fund in an attempt to help him a little, since he has always helped others so much.
You see, David has had a difficult time in the last several months.
In the summer of 2007, when David was 7 years-old, our dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. He received numerous treatments throughout the years, including multiple surgeries. Because he was unable to work, he lost his job as a truck driver. Without medical insurance, the debt quickly piled up and our lives changed dramatically.
David put on a brave face. I never once saw him cry. He spent countless nights in the hospital with our dad, and when dad was finally released, David continued to care for him at home. They grew incredibly close. I remember the day in 2010 when we found out that our dad was cancer-free. It was the first time I saw David cry. Joyful tears are the best kind.
In the years that followed, David and our dad developed several hobbies together. Their favorite, by far, was photography. Dad bought David a little point-and-shoot Canon camera, and they would drive into the country whenever a thunderstorm was forecasted to photograph the clouds, lightning, and rainbows. When the weather was nice they would shoot sunsets. I've never seen David so happy.
In March of last year, dad became incredibly sick. He was hospitalized again and we were told that the cancer had returned. It was stage 4 this time, and it had spread to multiple locations throughout his body. He was told that he only had a few months left, and he chose to return home and spend them with his family. David spent every spare minute by his side.
On October 17th, our dad passed away. As we were leaving the hospital for the last time, I noticed that David was walking with a limp. He told me that it has been there for several weeks. His face was also numb, and he couldn't taste food properly. We returned the hospital that evening, this time to have David admitted.
After more than a week of tests, scans, spinal taps, and IVs, David was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He has handled his diagnosis bravely and with as much positivity as he can. Between the doctor's visits, medication side-effects, and helping our mom handle her grief over our father's passing, David still finds the time to go out and take photos. He told me that it's his alone time. I can tell that it is helping him handle his grief, sadness, anger, and incredible loss. He is beginning to develop a true talent for photography as well.
A couple months ago, the little point-and-shoot our dad gave to David broke. It was heartbreaking when he showed it to me and I wasn't able to fix it for him. He hasn't been able to take any photos since. I am hoping to change that by replacing the broken camera with a new one.
That is the purpose of this fund. I would like to purchase David a beginner DSLR- the nicest one I can afford. Any amount that you can give would mean so much. David has lost so much in the past months, and it would be a blessing to be able to give something back to him. Thank you so, so much.
David was born in January 1999. I was 10 years old at the time. He quickly outgrew me and now, even though he is my 16 year-old little brother, he can (and does) pick me up and carry me around sometimes. He's my protector. When life falls apart, he is always there helping to pick up the pieces. He's always been the least selfish person I know. I'm creating this fund in an attempt to help him a little, since he has always helped others so much.
You see, David has had a difficult time in the last several months.
In the summer of 2007, when David was 7 years-old, our dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. He received numerous treatments throughout the years, including multiple surgeries. Because he was unable to work, he lost his job as a truck driver. Without medical insurance, the debt quickly piled up and our lives changed dramatically.
David put on a brave face. I never once saw him cry. He spent countless nights in the hospital with our dad, and when dad was finally released, David continued to care for him at home. They grew incredibly close. I remember the day in 2010 when we found out that our dad was cancer-free. It was the first time I saw David cry. Joyful tears are the best kind.
In the years that followed, David and our dad developed several hobbies together. Their favorite, by far, was photography. Dad bought David a little point-and-shoot Canon camera, and they would drive into the country whenever a thunderstorm was forecasted to photograph the clouds, lightning, and rainbows. When the weather was nice they would shoot sunsets. I've never seen David so happy.
In March of last year, dad became incredibly sick. He was hospitalized again and we were told that the cancer had returned. It was stage 4 this time, and it had spread to multiple locations throughout his body. He was told that he only had a few months left, and he chose to return home and spend them with his family. David spent every spare minute by his side.
On October 17th, our dad passed away. As we were leaving the hospital for the last time, I noticed that David was walking with a limp. He told me that it has been there for several weeks. His face was also numb, and he couldn't taste food properly. We returned the hospital that evening, this time to have David admitted.
After more than a week of tests, scans, spinal taps, and IVs, David was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He has handled his diagnosis bravely and with as much positivity as he can. Between the doctor's visits, medication side-effects, and helping our mom handle her grief over our father's passing, David still finds the time to go out and take photos. He told me that it's his alone time. I can tell that it is helping him handle his grief, sadness, anger, and incredible loss. He is beginning to develop a true talent for photography as well.
A couple months ago, the little point-and-shoot our dad gave to David broke. It was heartbreaking when he showed it to me and I wasn't able to fix it for him. He hasn't been able to take any photos since. I am hoping to change that by replacing the broken camera with a new one.
That is the purpose of this fund. I would like to purchase David a beginner DSLR- the nicest one I can afford. Any amount that you can give would mean so much. David has lost so much in the past months, and it would be a blessing to be able to give something back to him. Thank you so, so much.
Organizer and beneficiary
Alyssa Ray
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Marc McCarty
Beneficiary
