Brian Dodds - A Place to Heal

We are a group of family friends of Brian Dodds who have come together to help him in a time of great need. Tragically, Brian was brutally attacked by a man with a sword in January of this year. He survived the attack only by the quick work of good Samaritans on the scene, first responders, and a medical team at John Muir Trauma Center in Walnut Creek that performed miracles to save a hand and foot that were almost completely severed. After four surgeries and a month in the hospital trauma unit Brian is recovering, but still has a long recuperation ahead that will include both physical and emotional healing. He will be disabled for the foreseeable future and unable to generate a meaningful income. Our goal is to help Brian obtain and fund the essential needs of safe housing and food, so he can focus 100% worry-free on his significant medical and mental needs for the next 12 months.

 

GoFundMe

 

Researching county assistance programs has uncovered that no-cost rooms are difficult to secure and are typically only very short term, while subsidized housing options have 48-month waiting lists. Likewise, while Brian is participating in Contra County’s Behavioral Health programs, they have limited funding, and there is a shortage of therapists/psychiatrists. These obstacles, along with the significant cost of living in the Bay Area, made us realize that we need help from the community, which is why we created this GoFundMe campaign for Brian.

 

Our goal is to raise $40,000 to be used for the following priorities:

1. Safe, affordable housing*

2. Basic needs - food and transportation

3. Behavioral Health support - to complement the county’s limited resources

 

*Additionally, given the difficulty in locating suitable housing, we are asking for help in finding a suitable place for Brian to live while he recovers from his wounds. He will need 1st floor or elevator access and plans to keep his dog of 6 years, Tyson, who is an integral part of his emotional recovery.

 

A Go Support Me Team

 

As many of you know, Brian has experienced numerous difficulties and emotional struggles much of his adult life, including periods of homelessness. So, in addition to the “GoFundMe” efforts, we plan to tap into the skills and experience of our personal and professional networks to assemble a “Go Support Me” team for Brian. This group will offer important counseling and guidance on various life skills, including health and wellness, personal finance, vocational direction, and more.

 

If you choose to help Brian by contributing to this campaign, we will provide you with regular updates on his journey and progress. While I, Phil Dodds, am involved in managing this site, James Clifton has been approved to handle transfers on Brian's behalf. A special-use bank account has been set up to receive donations and make payments and disbursements. We intend to pay vendors (such as a landlord) directly whenever possible. **The donor page will show James Clifton as beneficiary. This is for the sole purpose of enabling the transfer of funds to the special use account to be used on behalf of Brian.

 

Brian has two wonderful teenage boys, Garrett and Ayden, whom he loves very much. When he was recovering in the hospital, he sent a message to some friends that this might be his last chance to put his life in order. Let’s help him turn this tragedy into something life-changing!

 

Please feel free to forward or repost this to anyone who you think may want to help this cause!

 

Thank you!

 

Tom & Sue Terrill

Tim & JoAnn Johnston

Jim & Kerry Clifton