Beating Mental Illness: MEET MIKE!
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In October of 1990, our single mother took her 5 children and emigrated from Europe to the United States to raise her children in an environment she believed to be better for her children. Our brother, Mike Blomquist, was 10 when we moved to the States. We grew up with a fairly normal childhood in Rexburg, Idaho. However, shortly after Mike reached adulthood, he encountered a series of extremely difficult circumstances which left him in a very unique and challenging situation today.
Mike’s mental illness first appeared when he was in his early 20’s. It went undiagnosed, untreated, and self-regulated until his mid-30’s because we did not have medical insurance and didn’t understand what was happening. Mike struggled through 5 years of college at BSU, changing majors several times and eventually decided that he was no longer able to attend to his university studies. At 29 years old, Mike was married to a strong and caring woman. Two years later, in 2010, they had a beautiful daughter named Ella. Life was great for a short time. However, his marriage began to suffer and eventually failed due to his serious mental illness which was still not being treated properly. Over the course of the next few years, Mike was in and out of the state hospital a couple of times and moved around from place to place. In May of 2016, Mike lost his place of residence and had no choice but to live on the streets. A tent by the river became his home. His mental illness was too much, but finding help seemed impossible without insurance. Mike remained homeless for the next year. By the end of 2016, Mike’s mental illness had such a grasp on him that he almost completely lost control of his conscious state. In December of 2016, Mike was picked up by police for a very minor altercation and was placed in custody. Shortly after, he was transferred to Idaho’s State Hospital North where he received treatment, medication, support, and finally, a diagnosis for his mental illness. Mike and his family learned about his condition and worked to regain control of his mental state. Mike learned how to cope and treat his symptoms after suffering through them for about 15 years.
Mike was recently released from the hospital. All the progress and treatment that he received started to fade away as Mike was still homeless. Family and close friends rallied together to move Mike off the streets. He is currently in a safe environment where he can focus on his health and his beautiful 7-year-old Daughter, Ella. Mike is now managing his health very well and things are looking up for the first time in years.
Mike’s story is far from complete, however. The underlying issue to all of Mike’s challenges still haunts him. Back in the late 90’s, our mother applied for permanent residency (green card) for all her children that needed it, Mike included. Because of Mike’s age and the long waiting time, his application was bumped into several different categories causing his waiting period to be extended far beyond the rest of us. Mike never obtained his permanent residency. By the time he could apply for it, other circumstances in his life prevented him from doing so.
Now, almost 38 years old, Mike is recovering from a debilitating mental illness, but unable to work. This means he can’t pay for rent, medical needs, or support his beautiful daughter. Above all, Mike is unable to come up with the funds necessary to finish his application for his permanent residence, which is crucial for him to receive, to support himself and his daughter.
Mike’s immigration case was recently reviewed by an excellent professional immigration lawyer. Our only chance for Mike to get his unique and difficult immigration status straightened out would be to hire this lawyer to fight for his case. This lawyer is confident that there is a path to obtain his permanent residency which began in the 90’s. We are now faced with the burden of trying to raise the $3,000-$5,000 lawyer fees and his $1,300 application fee; not to mention his monthly rent, utilities, food etc. that he needs to survive while his case is being worked on.
Our goal is to raise $5,300 to help pay for his lawyer and immigration fees. Mike is ready to move on with his life; to focus on his health and supporting his daughter who needs a healthy father. Mike and Ella have a wonderful relationship. Mike’s greatest purpose in life is to be there for her.
Mike is currently surviving from donating plasma and contributions from family and friends. He is doing everything he can to support himself, but the money he makes is simply not enough to take care of day to day needs at this point, let alone the lawyer and immigration fees. Any additional funds raised will go directly to help Mike pay for rent, utilities, food etc. until he is able to provide an income for himself and become self-sufficient.
Anyone who has ever known Mike knows that he has a big heart and he has a great passion for life! He is determined, even in the face of great difficulty. Mike will always prevail! He has been dealt a very difficult hand in life. No one knows exactly what he has been through, but all of his family and friends will agree that if there is ever anyone who deserves a helping hand, It is our brother, Mike Blomquist!
Mike’s mental illness first appeared when he was in his early 20’s. It went undiagnosed, untreated, and self-regulated until his mid-30’s because we did not have medical insurance and didn’t understand what was happening. Mike struggled through 5 years of college at BSU, changing majors several times and eventually decided that he was no longer able to attend to his university studies. At 29 years old, Mike was married to a strong and caring woman. Two years later, in 2010, they had a beautiful daughter named Ella. Life was great for a short time. However, his marriage began to suffer and eventually failed due to his serious mental illness which was still not being treated properly. Over the course of the next few years, Mike was in and out of the state hospital a couple of times and moved around from place to place. In May of 2016, Mike lost his place of residence and had no choice but to live on the streets. A tent by the river became his home. His mental illness was too much, but finding help seemed impossible without insurance. Mike remained homeless for the next year. By the end of 2016, Mike’s mental illness had such a grasp on him that he almost completely lost control of his conscious state. In December of 2016, Mike was picked up by police for a very minor altercation and was placed in custody. Shortly after, he was transferred to Idaho’s State Hospital North where he received treatment, medication, support, and finally, a diagnosis for his mental illness. Mike and his family learned about his condition and worked to regain control of his mental state. Mike learned how to cope and treat his symptoms after suffering through them for about 15 years.
Mike was recently released from the hospital. All the progress and treatment that he received started to fade away as Mike was still homeless. Family and close friends rallied together to move Mike off the streets. He is currently in a safe environment where he can focus on his health and his beautiful 7-year-old Daughter, Ella. Mike is now managing his health very well and things are looking up for the first time in years.
Mike’s story is far from complete, however. The underlying issue to all of Mike’s challenges still haunts him. Back in the late 90’s, our mother applied for permanent residency (green card) for all her children that needed it, Mike included. Because of Mike’s age and the long waiting time, his application was bumped into several different categories causing his waiting period to be extended far beyond the rest of us. Mike never obtained his permanent residency. By the time he could apply for it, other circumstances in his life prevented him from doing so.
Now, almost 38 years old, Mike is recovering from a debilitating mental illness, but unable to work. This means he can’t pay for rent, medical needs, or support his beautiful daughter. Above all, Mike is unable to come up with the funds necessary to finish his application for his permanent residence, which is crucial for him to receive, to support himself and his daughter.
Mike’s immigration case was recently reviewed by an excellent professional immigration lawyer. Our only chance for Mike to get his unique and difficult immigration status straightened out would be to hire this lawyer to fight for his case. This lawyer is confident that there is a path to obtain his permanent residency which began in the 90’s. We are now faced with the burden of trying to raise the $3,000-$5,000 lawyer fees and his $1,300 application fee; not to mention his monthly rent, utilities, food etc. that he needs to survive while his case is being worked on.
Our goal is to raise $5,300 to help pay for his lawyer and immigration fees. Mike is ready to move on with his life; to focus on his health and supporting his daughter who needs a healthy father. Mike and Ella have a wonderful relationship. Mike’s greatest purpose in life is to be there for her.
Mike is currently surviving from donating plasma and contributions from family and friends. He is doing everything he can to support himself, but the money he makes is simply not enough to take care of day to day needs at this point, let alone the lawyer and immigration fees. Any additional funds raised will go directly to help Mike pay for rent, utilities, food etc. until he is able to provide an income for himself and become self-sufficient.
Anyone who has ever known Mike knows that he has a big heart and he has a great passion for life! He is determined, even in the face of great difficulty. Mike will always prevail! He has been dealt a very difficult hand in life. No one knows exactly what he has been through, but all of his family and friends will agree that if there is ever anyone who deserves a helping hand, It is our brother, Mike Blomquist!
Organizer
Mathias Blomquist
Organizer
Boise, ID
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