On October 14th 2018, my father, John Gabriel was in a car accident while traveling to Utah to retrieve his possessions from a prior employer. Last January, John was injured on the job in New Mexico working for a Utah-based trucking company. Since then, he has been battling homelessness and living in his truck. Unemployment, disability, and other supportive services processes have been slow moving and unable to help him in his time of need. On top of homelessness, John has a double hernia and blood issues that doctors are unable to work on for the time. This car accident couldn’t have come at a worse time. Not only injuring him, but damaging his vehicle which is his only form of shelter.
John was traveling to Utah to retrieve items his social security card, birth certificate, and other important personal possessions from the trucking company. These items are crucial in him being able to get a job, housing, and medical care. Since his January 2018 accident, he’s been back in Michigan trying to recover. All of his attempts to work with social services to no avail. Injuries and health is preventing him from being able to work any kind of physical labor job which is what a majority of his working experience has been in. When he tried seeing a doctor about operating on his double hernia, the doctor told him he needed to lose weight. It’s near impossible to prioritize. Clearly, the systems in place are not working to aid him. This is why we need to break this cycle so he find stability.
John Alan Snipe Gabriel was born on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation of the Shoshone Bannock tribes in December of 1967. From a young age, John was put into the foster care system and moved from home to home until he was adopted by Barbara and Alan Gabriel. As an adult, John has faced and suffered several health incidents, from a damaged appendix to shattering his femur. This cycle of disdain is not too uncommon for a First Nations person, a system that is actively working against him.
Any donations small or large, will contribute towards getting John back on his feet. If our goal is met we will be able to get him the following:
-Food, gas, and basic provisions
-Getting him back to Michigan from Big Springs, Nebraska
-Costs of getting his items back from the trucking company based in Utah
-Repairs on his vehicle
-Medical coverage for surgery on the double hernia and his daily medications
-First 6 months rent and deposit on an apartment
-A reliable cell phone
We appreciate any and all donations. If you can't make a contribution please consider sharing this with others via social media. We hope to raise these funds for John before December 1st, 2018 due to the harsh winter conditions.
John was traveling to Utah to retrieve items his social security card, birth certificate, and other important personal possessions from the trucking company. These items are crucial in him being able to get a job, housing, and medical care. Since his January 2018 accident, he’s been back in Michigan trying to recover. All of his attempts to work with social services to no avail. Injuries and health is preventing him from being able to work any kind of physical labor job which is what a majority of his working experience has been in. When he tried seeing a doctor about operating on his double hernia, the doctor told him he needed to lose weight. It’s near impossible to prioritize. Clearly, the systems in place are not working to aid him. This is why we need to break this cycle so he find stability.
John Alan Snipe Gabriel was born on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation of the Shoshone Bannock tribes in December of 1967. From a young age, John was put into the foster care system and moved from home to home until he was adopted by Barbara and Alan Gabriel. As an adult, John has faced and suffered several health incidents, from a damaged appendix to shattering his femur. This cycle of disdain is not too uncommon for a First Nations person, a system that is actively working against him.
Any donations small or large, will contribute towards getting John back on his feet. If our goal is met we will be able to get him the following:
-Food, gas, and basic provisions
-Getting him back to Michigan from Big Springs, Nebraska
-Costs of getting his items back from the trucking company based in Utah
-Repairs on his vehicle
-Medical coverage for surgery on the double hernia and his daily medications
-First 6 months rent and deposit on an apartment
-A reliable cell phone
We appreciate any and all donations. If you can't make a contribution please consider sharing this with others via social media. We hope to raise these funds for John before December 1st, 2018 due to the harsh winter conditions.