2nd Chances Save Lives - Jameson’s Sobriety & Homelessness

Hello, friends, family, and community. My name is Marika Clark, and I am starting this GFM to help save my brother Jameson from his life-threatening addiction and aid him from becoming homeless over the next month before we can get him into treatment.

Over the past two weeks, my brother suffered from a withdrawal-induced seizure, causing severe short-term memory loss, and ended up being hospitalized for several days due to acute neuropathy, brain tremors, and his body completely shutting down on him. While cleared of all major diseases and illnesses, he is unable to walk and has been going through the process of withdrawal and detox on his own, as medical care is extremely difficult for things of this nature. Not only is this hard on your mental health, but it is extremely dangerous as he faces having another seizure or falling due to the numbness and pain in his legs.

Jameson has been approved for Medicaid, but options are limited (especially due to his current handicap). We can get him into The Sobriety House Denver, which is a wonderful resource that accepts a full ride with Medicaid, but we are currently on a 3-4 week wait list, and he is facing eviction this month. No alternative living situations are available for him outside of entering a shelter if evicted, which will surely result is another relapse or worse. In an effort to try and provide him comfort and ease before entering into the program, I need assistance in providing some financial support to get him through the weeks (and months) ahead for him and me. Most inpatient facilities cost between $40-60k/month so this is our only hope right now. Here is a breakdown of what this will cover:

$2,500 - Two months rent ($1250/m - June and July). This not only gives us the window of the waiting period but will allow me to enter his apartment once he is in treatment to clean out his personal belongings and put them into storage. There isn't a lot, but the transition will take time.

$400 - Two months of utilities. Running water, lights, fans, etc, as he continues to detox and remain sober in his home.

$400 - One month of groceries. His neuropathy is affected by what he consumes, so ensuring he has access to fresh vegetables, healthy fruits, vitamins, and grains (eating in general, tbh) is extremely important. I have been taking him meals daily and will provide him with all weekly/daily groceries.

$100 - Medications for his current condition. Right now, Jameson has been prescribed a plethora of medications ranging everywhere from vitamins, pain meds and assistance with alcohol cravings. Some of these medications are hard to get and expensive due to accessibility.

$1,000 - Medical bills/continued mental health care. Between May 22nd and May 31st, Jameson received two CT scans, an MRI, and a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), two rounds of full blood work, and has 4 full days of back pay to deal with from being overnighted at Denver Health. He became approved for Medicaid while in the hospital, so a few of those bills will be partially covered. This $1000 is not to back pay any of that but rather ensure that he has access to his follow-up appointments (first one on June 5th), out-of-pocket mental health care, and any required detox that may or may not be needed moving into treatment (Medicaid only covers so much). Anything not used over the course of the next 3-4 weeks WILL go towards his past medical bills, etc, which are astronomical.

I will handle all financial obligations, including all monies in this GMF. This is not only to keep track of where things are going but also because cash handling by someone dealing with addiction is extremely dangerous. If you would like to help out by providing him with additional meals, housing needs, and basic, but certainly non-essential items, like cigarettes and candy, I'm happy to direct you to my Venmo, and I will ensure those purchases are made (alternative option if you don’t want to send money here). A reminder that his mental health is extremely vulnerable and his memory loss is very serious. If you choose to reach out to my brother during this time, positive reinforcement, love, and encouragement are all that is welcome. No direct cash, no negative conversations. He WANTS this help and WANTS this treatment so right now, getting him there is all that matters. Everything else can come later.....

Some of you know that Jameson was put into a 30-day intensive care rehab center called The Harmony Foundation in 2019, which was a godsend for our family. He was able to stay sober, land a wonderful job, live alone, and be an active member of the community until relapsing in the fall of 2022. Unfortunately, 40-60% of all patients who go to rehab relapse, and this will continue to be a hard road for us, no matter what happens next - but I truly believe he can fight this again (and once and for all). We do not have any family support this time around, so it is just me trying to make sense of this situation and navigate all of the finances associated with this awful disease. Any support you can offer will not only help to save Jameson's life - but will also help me tremendously with the unexpected journey ahead.

Thank you so, so much. Love you, mean it.