Main fundraiser photo

Random art for a smile

Hello, my name is David Gerbstadt.  I am an artist. 

I thought of a way to "pay it forward" with a donation to me to help support spreading smiles and kindness with art.   

"Random art for a  smile". 

Here is how it works: 

You donate what ever you wish. 

Even $1 is ok.  This get 1 "Be Kind" button mailed.

$10 - Gets you an original drawing mailed.

$50+ Gets you a painting mailed.

Then I will make art and send this art to someone you know who may need some color or a boosted smile. 

OR I will mail art to a non-profit for them to auction off or sell for a fund raiser.  

$1 donated: Gets 1 "Be Kind" button sent to a school,                                    a non-profit, or someone you know of                                           your choice. 

                             I will mail buttons for you.


$10 donated:  I will send an origianl drawing with a                                            positive message to someone you know                                    who may be  going through a hard time.  

Here is a sample of what may be sent.





$50+ donated:  I will send a painting to someone you                                            know or to a non-profit who can auction                                    off for a fundrasier

Here is a sample what may be sent.


About David Gerbstadt: 

We have many books on Amazon.

Here is what T.V. PHILLY FOX 29 wrote about Me. 
Watch story that was aired.

Local Man Suffering From PTSD Finds An Outlet In Painting

Berwyn, Pa.--A local man, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, finds painting to be therapeutic. Now, he's using his talent to give back to the community.

FOX 29's Bill Rohrer shares his story.

During a bike ride, David Gerbstadt was hit by a 14-wheeler. He doesn't remember much about the crash.

“I can't really tell you what happened. All I know is I did a dance with a 14-wheeler," he said.

David was immediately rushed to the hospital where doctors began working. David wasn't expected to make it through the night, but thankfully, he did. According to David, he now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and finds it hard to work and pay bills. He recently found that painting helped him cope. He says putting paint to the canvas is his way of healing.

"It's kind of my own style , but some people call it abstract expressionism," he explained. “I have nightmares and flashbacks night sweats. "It just doesn't go away. It might get better but it never goes away,”

Painting is a big therapy for that.

"I go to another place it does relax me takes a way. It relieves my pain in my leg it relieves my stress, depression," said Davis.

One day, David went online and set-up a GoFundMe account, which is a crowdfunding website where anyone can help raise money for any cause. David is raising funds for his house . Everyone that donates receives David's artwork. Sending his artwork is David's way of saying thanks.

David shares his love with his dog Noel who has a rescue with her own story. Noel was hit and left on the side of the road. Doctors saved her life, but sadly, couldn't save her leg.

"She knows when I am depressed having a bad day and she will lick my face and I feel better ," Davis explained.

With every color, he heals a little more.

"Before and after the accident is like two different lives," he said.

For now he keeps painting. If you wish to donate to David and Noel's house fund, please visit the GoFundMe page.

People who donate will get a couple of my original drawings mailed to them if they want.  Just note address when you donate.  Be patient I will mail you.

here is just a sample of the original art drawn on the  envelope that will contain art.  Envelope: 10" x 13"



Media coverage:
PHILLY - FOX 29 TV  
MAIN LINE NEWS
DAILY LOCAL NEWS
HUFFINGTON POST

David's self published books on Amazon

"One Breath At a Time" E book - down load - 50 cents.

"One Breath At a Time"  - self published book by David.
Tells in detail about his experience, strength and hope. Before, during, and after his accident.

"The Red Heart book"  - Children's book I wrote after coming home from accident. 'You are loved, you matter..."

"Bananas and milk" - David Gerbstadt creates his first activity book. Color, learn some words from around the world. Have fun, be kind, and share.

Noel the dog and I never give up!  We both have a new outlook on life:

we all matter, we all are loved, what we do is important.

Take a moment to read our story that David wrote:

Noel the Dog story: 

In November of 2011, Noel was transferred to the Delaware County SPCA from a local emergency vet after she had been hit by a car.  After examination, Dr. Kimberly Boudwin determined that Noel’s right leg couldn’t be saved. Her bone was completely broken and the skin tissue around it was too deteriorated to heal. Dr. Boudwin performed an amputation. Noel, the strong spirit she is, made a full recovery.

Noel before she had her leg amputated.

Around the same time Noel was recovering from her surgery, David Gerbstadt, a local artist, was on the lookout for a perfect companion when he heard Noel’s story.

Most people were touched after hearing Noel’s story, but not many could directly relate to it.  David, on the other hand, could. In 2007, David was hit by a tracker trailer while riding his bicycle. The accident almost took his life, but like Noel he recovered.

When David and Noel met it was clear there was a connection.

On December, 27, 2011, David adopted Noel or maybe Noel adopted David.

More on David's accident that changed his life:

On December 28, 2007 David Gerbstadt lay on the sidewalk in a pool of his own blood. He had just been run over by a tractor trailer.  EMTs rushed to the scene to find David holding his severed femoral artery. David's efforts were apparently futile because he died just a few minutes later. This is the story of a man who faced death and never gave up!

One Breath At a Time" is a novel that David wrote of his experience, strength, and hope.  David is a walking miracle living one breath at a time.


When the paramedics did get to David he had no blood pressure.  David had no pulse.

No blood was flowing in his body. David remembers everything the paramedics said to one another as they worked on him. David died not long after he was put into the ambulance.

This story does not end tragically though. The paramedics performed CPR en route to the waiting helicopter. Thirteen minutes later David landed at Bay Front hospital in St. Petersburg Florida on the roof over 30 miles away. Taken straight to the 2nd floor where he went to surgery for four and half-hours. He coded two more times. By the time he got out of surgery he had gone through forty units of blood.

At nine p.m. that same night David came to and saw his oldest sister, a doctor herself standing over him. “You are at Bay Front hospital and you will walk out of here.” She smiled. David wiggled his toes and knew he had his spine and both his legs. At 1 a.m. his dad and second sister arrived from Boca Raton, Florida. Morphine took away his pain and let him sleep. It did not silence the screams, alarms, and the sight of priests and family members coming out of rooms crying. Death was common.

The next morning a nurse who had been was in the operating room came in, not expecting to see David alive.  The doctors and surgeons all checked on him and eagerly asked how he had known to press on his femoral artery.  "We debated for a long time to save your leg or not," the doctors said.  "We cannot explain why you are still here. You should be dead," they all said.

 After ten days in ICU and forty more days in the hospital David did walk outside and was able to go home.

“The truck did not stop me, it just slowed me down. The first time I died I saw the “light”.  Death is beautiful.  At the moment of near death I simply knew what to do. We all will know what to do."

David was told by many in the hospital that he should tell his story.  David has been hired by various groups to tell his story of endurance, strength, and hope.

The paperback version of “One Breath At a Time” by David Gerbstadt is on Amazon.com Download “One Breath At a Time” as an e-book here: payhip.com/b/NnYG 

Since the accident, I have had to cope with sever daily depression and thoughts of ending my life.  I am happy to say that I do see doctors on a regular basis for my depression and PTSD. 

I have trouble sleeping for very long, often waking up usually from night sweats and nightmares.  I experience  flashbacks, anxiety, and depression every day.

As an artist, before and after my accident, I find making art is a huge part of being able to cope with life and PTSD.  Noel is a joy and so much apart of my recovery.  She suffers from trauma as well, and so, we help each other.

Money has been a problem for the past couple years.    Working a full-time job fwhile coping with PTSD  has proven difficult.  I have filed for disability and was turned down.  I spoke with several laywers who all told me the same thing.  I own a house and make too much money.  

But I barely earn enough to pay for the house.  My payments are always late.  My bills are always behind a couple months. 

In 2014 I had a minor fender bender with my 1991 Honda Civic.  My car was totaled as a result. Since then, I have not had the use of a car and I no longer feel confident about driving.

I use Facebook for showing my art and thoughts.

What keeps me alive are my good friends, my neighbors, my art and my dog, Noel. 

I am considered a prolific artist.

I have asked my Facebook friends for donations, and those small contributtions have helped me a bit, but not enough.  I am still behind.

I am asking for help to pay off my house so Noel and I can continue to have a place to live.

My sculpture and paintings are in the yards of my neighbors and in many homes around the USA and world.  I don't charge very much so anyone can afford my art. 

The truck did not stop me.  It just slowed me down.
 
I learned from my expereince that  we are all loved, we all matter, and what we do is important work.

Please help me, and my Noel, to continue to make art and make people happy.

Organizer

David Gerbstadt
Organizer
Berwyn, PA

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.