<div>I am creating this GoFundMe on behalf of my brother who has run into a series of unfortunate circumstances.
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<div>My brother has carried the weight of this country on his back 2 times, literally and figuratively. As a two-time combat veteran and now disabled veteran, he has seen and survived more than he ever speaks about. And even with all he has endured, he has always been the one who found a way to stand, to push through, and to keep moving forward.
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<div>But life has a way of testing even our strongest warriors.
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<div>Over the past few months, he has undergone back-to-back spinal surgeries. The kind that take your breath away, shake your sense of independence, and force you to learn how to walk all over again. He didn't even have time to process what was happening before learning he had to have the 2nd surgery. He has been working tirelessly in rehab, taking steps that are small to us, but major milestones in spirit.
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<div>And right in the middle of this journey, tragedy hit from another direction.
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<div>While he was in rehab, a three-alarm fire destroyed his apartment. His clothes, furniture, personal documents, meaningful belongings, everything he owned, was gone in minutes. This is a reminder of how precious life is because had he been in the apartment at the time his disability would have rendered him incapable of escaping.
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<div>All of this is happening while he is still waiting for a decision on his veteran disability and SSI benefits, a process he has been told could take six months to a year on top of the 7months he has been waiting. This is all due to the current programmatic shifts. He has been unemployed for 7 months, leaning on our family as much as he can, and we’ve supported him with everything we have. But even love has its limits when crisis piles on top of crisis.
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<div>Despite his condition, has still been released from rehab. For now, he will be placed in a hotel until stable housing becomes available. My brother is stepping into the world again with no belongings, no home, and no financial safety net, just sheer determination and faith that help will meet him where he is.
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<div>And that is why I’m reaching out. As his main support over the past few months, it has taken its toll on me and my financial responsibilities to my immediate family while being my brother's keeper.
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<div>This GoFundMe will help him rebuild what was lost and meet the most urgent needs during this critical time including necessary bills:
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<div>-Replacing essentials lost in the fire
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<div>-Clothing and daily living necessities
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<div>-Temporary transportation expenses
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<div>-Funds to remain financially stable until his benefit determination is made
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<div>My brother has given so much of himself in service to others. Right now, he needs a community willing to stand with him the way he has stood for so many.
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<div>If you feel moved to give, please do. If you can share this, please share it. Every single gesture brings him closer to stability, dignity, and a new beginning.
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<div>Thank you for showing up. Thank you for caring. And thank you for helping my brother take the next step forward, not alone, but supported by a village that believes in his healing and his future. 
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Maurice Barksdale

SherryAnn Richards

stewart davis

ALLITA J FERGUSON

Jaunese Harris

Adrian RANDLE

Nakia Foster-Marquis

Anonymous

Syria Thomas

Alison McNeil

Help Rebuild a Veteran's Life After Tragedy

Help Rebuild a Veteran's Life After Tragedy

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