Hi there, my name is Josh Ronnenberg. Friends and family that really know me, know that asking for help is something I rarely do. (I think it's a family trait.) It is not because I'm too proud or don't want help. I just feel like a burden when I ask for it. Also, I can be a very private person sometimes. Most of my casual friends (98% of my Facebook friends...) don't really know me. They don't know how the last three years of my life has been. Now I could do Facebook statuses of whats going on. But again I'm a private person, and I usually don't post anything private or talk about my problems online.  I tend to look down on people who vent on Facebook about how terrible their life is. I guess I feel this way towards them because they get frustrated over the most minuscule things like their smartphone breaking, coffee was served cold, or someone made them angry. It is not that  I don't care about people's problems but I think some people need to look at their lifes and see if they know anybody that  is having a harder time than they are. You will always find there is. There is always someone worst off than you. Just look at this site. I'm not the sickest or the poorest person on this site. They need help too. But we are on GoFundMe because people are willing to help us. I get people that know me and care for me, ask if there is anything they can do to help, all the time. And I always nod my head and say "No Thanks. I'm actually doing okay." I lie. People have even ask to do a GoFundMe page for me before and I have asked them not to. I do need help but again as I mentioned, I suck at asking for it.  So I'm making this Go Fund Me page for all the friends and family that have asked. And if any of my "causal" friends want to help out I would be grateful. 

 I guess I have to give you some background info before I tell you how to help me.


Cliff notes are: I was born with a rare form of kidney disease that "showed up" when I was 11 years old. I was in and out of the hospital most of middle and high school. In Eighth grade I was put on dialysis. In Tenth grade I received a kidney transplant. Also, I was in the foster care system in my high school years and lived with several great foster families. Since age six I have always had a passion for art. Always drawing and making something. My first job was at a old movie theater which I fell in love with. I ended up working at the same movie theater for over nine years and eventually became the Manager which I did for four years. I went to college for about two years before that. I had eight wonderful years with my "new" kidney. I would even wish it Happy Birthday every year on Facebook. In 2013, my "new" kidney failed and I was put back on dialysis. For those of you who don't know what dialysis is, it does what your kidney does. It cleans your blood. It takes out the bad stuff you would normally pee out. To do this, your blood is taken out, cleaned, and then put back in. I get this done three times a week and each session is four hours long. One of the main side effects of dialysis is that it makes you very weak and tried. I am back on the transplant list, so I will hopefully get another kidney in the future. I'm optimistic about what the future holds. 




But these past two years have been the hardest. In just two years I have had over 10 blood transfusions and 14 surgeries. Seven months ago I had a accident that happen while walking down a flight of stairs. I ended up tearing my quads on both knees off the bone. I had major surgery on both knees. I was wheel-chaired bound for over 3 months. I now walk with a cane. Nine months ago I lost my job at the movie theater that I loved. I had to move to a new apartment that was ground floor because of my condition. So those are all the problems in my life. 

So now you know me more and know what I have been through these past couple of years. So how can you help?

Of course some of the money that you send in will help with paying the medical bills and also just everyday bills, but I want set a goal for myself. After losing my job of nine years I felt like I lost my way. I didn't know what to do. I thought I lost my dream job. But I started to focus again on my first true love: ART. 











As most of you know for many years I have been part of the art community. Since high school I have done several murals for businesses and schools, t-shirt designs for businesses and events, and shown art at galleries. I am also a caricaturist and have been doing caricatures for about eight years. I have also taught art for various after-school programs for elementary and middle schools. I really enjoy art. 

Examples of some my art:














While I was working a full time job and going to dialysis I really couldn't focus on art. I rarely did caricatures at public events anymore because I had no time. I had to stop teaching as well. 

So now I have the time to start focusing on my art career again. And that is where most of the funds will go to. I plan on revamping my brand (J-RoNN ARTS) and trying to get more professional tools and supplies. I plan on setting up at more local events. Some things I need are a professional grade easel, chairs, tables, a canopy, and of course art supplies such as chalk and paper. Also, the funds will be used for advertisement costs such as business cards, brochures, and newspaper ads costs.

So friends and family if you want to help me. Help me with this. Help me do my real dream job.  Anyone that donates will receive a caricature portrait from me free of charge as a thank you.


Thanks again for your love and support.

Here is everyone that has donated so far!