A Prisoner In His Own Home, Help Free Charles
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In 2014, Charles Lamar Blackwell was 3 years out of high school, having graduated in 2011 from Central High School on Detroit's west side. Charles aspired to becoming a Detroit Police Officer but before he actively pursued that career path, he decided to first give back so joined Michigan's Army National Guard in March of 2014. He signed up, took his oath, and was waiting to ship off to boot camp.
On June 1 st, 2014 Charles’ life changed. He was gunned down in a drive-by shooting while visiting his cousin a block away from Central High School. As a result, Charles was paralyzed from the waist down. And on that day, a young man with big dreams of serving others pretty much lost his freedom.
Charles didn’t give up, though. He was learning to live his life as a paraplegic and was being cared for by his mother, Carolyn Young. On the night of April 1 st, 2016, Carolyn Young was killed in a hit-and-run traffic collision; a speeding Dodge Challenger slammed into her Nissan Altima, pinning her inside and ultimately killing her not far from the family home she shared with her husband, daughter Brandy, and son Charles. I remember that night well; Charles and I were already friends.
The Day Charles Mother, Carolyn Young, Was Killed
April Fool’s day, 2016 is the day life drastically changed for Charles. With his mother and primary care giver gone, there was no one able to lift and carry Charles down the stairs of their rented flat, a home they had been in for many years, long before Charles was shot. Charles’ father, with medical conditions stemming from diabetes, simply isn't able to help.
As a result, Charles became trapped in a 2nd floor flat, unable to leave unless the State of Michigan and Medicaid deemed it essential. Ambulance costs with lift assist down a flight of stairs can and often cost over $2,600 dollars per round trip. Medicaid does approve visits to an emergency room in an emergency, but for visits to a dentist, routine doctor’s office visits, etc., that cost is often left up to Charles. Charles monthly income? $968.00 a month.
Finding Section 8 housing in Detroit is extremely difficult; the wait times are often over 5 years. An attempt was made to find new housing, but there wasn't much help available and Charles’ needs went unanswered and to this day they continue to go unanswered.
Undeterred, Charles spent the next 4 years pursuing an education; an education online because he can't leave the second-floor flat. Charles has graduated twice in 4 years; once with an associate of arts degree in general business, and again with an associate of arts degree in business IT. He was just accepted to another online school, Northwood University, to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business. Charles is determined.
So, you ask, why am I starting this GoFundMe account for Charles? Well, I want Charles to be free. See, we often take life for granted, you and me. We're able to go to the store, movies, restaurants, parties or just visit our backyards to enjoy a sunny afternoon or cool evening.
Charles can't. Not that Charles doesn't want to, but he can't. He's trapped in a 2nd floor flat, in a tough part of Detroit, with the same view, day in and day out. He can't tell if it's sunny outside unless he looks out the window. He's a prisoner in his own home and has been a prisoner for 4 years.
We're looking to provide Charles a safe, accessible, and comfortable home. Charles sister, Brandy, received a scholarship to Michigan State University through hard work and determination; she's soon to graduate and we're looking to give her a place to visit her family, to enjoy a cool evening with Charles in the backyard. We're looking to remove the obstacles life has placed in Charles path; obstacles that prevent him from enjoying even the most simple things: the ability to seek medical help without going bankrupt, the ability to take his education and make something of his incredible life, to work and take care of himself. We're looking to right the wrongs society has done to Charles. This 26-year-old man from Detroit has experienced the worst life has to offer. I'd like you to look back in your own life and remember the times someone helped you. That help may have been a small gesture or a big gesture, but it made a difference in your life. I certainly can remember such times in mine.
Your gesture of generosity will help us in achieving our goal. It may be small, it may be large, but a gesture is a gesture. After all, the only thing we leave behind in life is our good deeds.
Thank you,
John Roberts
The Detroit Scanner
MotorCity911
Video of Charles Blackwell being interviewed by WXYZ Channel 7 Reporter Jennifer Ann Wilson
On June 1 st, 2014 Charles’ life changed. He was gunned down in a drive-by shooting while visiting his cousin a block away from Central High School. As a result, Charles was paralyzed from the waist down. And on that day, a young man with big dreams of serving others pretty much lost his freedom.
Charles didn’t give up, though. He was learning to live his life as a paraplegic and was being cared for by his mother, Carolyn Young. On the night of April 1 st, 2016, Carolyn Young was killed in a hit-and-run traffic collision; a speeding Dodge Challenger slammed into her Nissan Altima, pinning her inside and ultimately killing her not far from the family home she shared with her husband, daughter Brandy, and son Charles. I remember that night well; Charles and I were already friends.
The Day Charles Mother, Carolyn Young, Was Killed
April Fool’s day, 2016 is the day life drastically changed for Charles. With his mother and primary care giver gone, there was no one able to lift and carry Charles down the stairs of their rented flat, a home they had been in for many years, long before Charles was shot. Charles’ father, with medical conditions stemming from diabetes, simply isn't able to help.
As a result, Charles became trapped in a 2nd floor flat, unable to leave unless the State of Michigan and Medicaid deemed it essential. Ambulance costs with lift assist down a flight of stairs can and often cost over $2,600 dollars per round trip. Medicaid does approve visits to an emergency room in an emergency, but for visits to a dentist, routine doctor’s office visits, etc., that cost is often left up to Charles. Charles monthly income? $968.00 a month.
Finding Section 8 housing in Detroit is extremely difficult; the wait times are often over 5 years. An attempt was made to find new housing, but there wasn't much help available and Charles’ needs went unanswered and to this day they continue to go unanswered.
Undeterred, Charles spent the next 4 years pursuing an education; an education online because he can't leave the second-floor flat. Charles has graduated twice in 4 years; once with an associate of arts degree in general business, and again with an associate of arts degree in business IT. He was just accepted to another online school, Northwood University, to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business. Charles is determined.
So, you ask, why am I starting this GoFundMe account for Charles? Well, I want Charles to be free. See, we often take life for granted, you and me. We're able to go to the store, movies, restaurants, parties or just visit our backyards to enjoy a sunny afternoon or cool evening.
Charles can't. Not that Charles doesn't want to, but he can't. He's trapped in a 2nd floor flat, in a tough part of Detroit, with the same view, day in and day out. He can't tell if it's sunny outside unless he looks out the window. He's a prisoner in his own home and has been a prisoner for 4 years.
We're looking to provide Charles a safe, accessible, and comfortable home. Charles sister, Brandy, received a scholarship to Michigan State University through hard work and determination; she's soon to graduate and we're looking to give her a place to visit her family, to enjoy a cool evening with Charles in the backyard. We're looking to remove the obstacles life has placed in Charles path; obstacles that prevent him from enjoying even the most simple things: the ability to seek medical help without going bankrupt, the ability to take his education and make something of his incredible life, to work and take care of himself. We're looking to right the wrongs society has done to Charles. This 26-year-old man from Detroit has experienced the worst life has to offer. I'd like you to look back in your own life and remember the times someone helped you. That help may have been a small gesture or a big gesture, but it made a difference in your life. I certainly can remember such times in mine.
Your gesture of generosity will help us in achieving our goal. It may be small, it may be large, but a gesture is a gesture. After all, the only thing we leave behind in life is our good deeds.
Thank you,
John Roberts
The Detroit Scanner
MotorCity911
Video of Charles Blackwell being interviewed by WXYZ Channel 7 Reporter Jennifer Ann Wilson
Organisateur et bénéficiaire
John Roberts
Organisateur
Casco, MI
Charles Blackwell
Bénéficiaire
