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www.GoFundMe.com/Compassion4Martin
The Introduction:
Father Martin, an ordained Catholic Priest, has been a loving, compassionate, kind-hearted person his entire life. A finer, sweeter, nicer soul would be difficult to find. He has served his church, community, friends, family and God since he was a boy.
But now this beloved man needs our help in healing his severe medical condition. Many years ago Martin contracted Lyme disease and Prions, both of which remained undiagnosed until recently. These diseases have left him with limited ability to communicate, engage in life and perform his life's purpose; his priestly duties.
Perhaps worse is that he exists in abject misery 24 hours a day; with severe brain-fog, compromised functional ability and a severe case of tinnitus (loud hissing in his ears.) He also experiences severe cognitive and memory challenges and at only 54 can no longer drive, cook, shop or perform normal tasks we take for granted.
Fr. Martin has lived with an elderly couple for over 10 years who have been his caregivers. However, the husband recently died and the widow is finding it difficult to take care of Martin with her limited funds and energy. It pains him deeply that he cannot contribute to her financial and physical needs, and instead has to rely on her for so much.
The good news, finally, is that through a referral Martin has found a respected clinic in Georgia, which specializes in severe cases like his. They seem to produce remarkable results and are giving realistic hope that after treatment he should be able to reclaim his health and ministry. Just the possibility of that for Martin has given him hope for the first time in many years.
To accomplish this, however, we need to ask you and other compassionate beings to help Father Martin in any way possible. While he does receive a modest monthly stimpend from the Church, it's not nearly enough to pay for his medical needs, which he has paid out-of-pocket for years. And now, just when he needs financial resources the most, his options for assistance are exhausted.
The Rest of the Story:
My name is Lindsay Kenny and I'm a retiring Life Coach, living in N. California, over 2000 miles from Martin. I've worked with Fr. Martin via phone and Skype for over 12 years to help reclaim his health and life. Together we have explored every reasonable and “unreasonable” path, plan and idea to find a diagnosis and treatment for his unusual maladies. We have solicited help from countless health care professionals, traditional and alternative; all to no avail… until now.
Just recently we discovered the culprits (previously mentioned) that have caused his many symptoms. And, we believe we now see the path restored health. Furthermore, we feel we even know the source of his symptoms and illnesses.
It appears that Fr. Martin's health issues actually began after a severe, childhood trauma. Tragically, Martin was sexually abused, multiple times, by a priest, when he was only 9 years old. Deeply ashamed and fearing it would crush his parents to hear the awful truth, Martin chose to kept the secret to himself.
The already shy, sweet, boy withdrew from his family and the world and has never been the same since those horrific nights. Among many other challenges mentioned elsewhere in this narrative, the saddest may be that Martin has long-since lost his ability to feel normal emotions like joy, happiness and peace of mind.
Life “after” has been extremely difficult for Martin, yet through shear determination and perseverance he was able to graduate from the Catholic Seminary and fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a priest. He was so grateful that his parents lived to witness his induction into priesthood. Sadly, however, they passed away knowing how ill he was and before this diagnosis.
Our Plea:
The impetus to start this campaign came entirely from my family and other friends. We have given all we can to help Martin and now we are asking for the kindness of strangers to contribute to his quest in restoring his health. We are so grateful that a viable solution has been found and are asking for your contribution, even if a small amount, to help with that. Your donation will be used solely to assist in getting him to the clinic in Georgia and to pay for the resulting medical bills.
Please consider helping this kind-hearted, sweet, intelligent man to regain the life he lost so many years ago. Even $5 would help and more is appreciated. While we are hoping to raise $10,000 for Father Martin, we know his expenses will be far more than that.
If you can’t afford to contribute monetarily, please consider posting this link and a few words on your Social Media accounts:
https://www.gofundme.com/Compassion4Martin
Together we can accomplish so much. Thank you so very much for reading this and acting on it.
Disclosure:
Martin’s parents eventually found out what had happened to him when he was older, as other children came forward with their abuse stories by the same priest. Like the other families and victims in the movie "Spotlight", Martin’s family was drawn into his story of pain and loss.
At first Martin did not want us to share his abuse or the circumstances with the public. However, he now sees how every part of his story is an important piece of the puzzle. Although reluctant to ask for me (he isn't, WE are,) he has agreed on this campaign and this narrative. He has, however, asked us to exclude his last name and location.
Martin has not become a “victim” and does not blame his condition on the abuse. Nor is he angry at the church for not adequately supporting him through many years of turmoil. He is sad and disappointed, however, but has never given up…as many people would have under the circumstances. He remains optimistic that he has finally found the answer and solution.
Note: You may contribute anonymously, in name and amount donated. However, Father Martin will attempt thank everyone personally who provides their support.
The Introduction:
Father Martin, an ordained Catholic Priest, has been a loving, compassionate, kind-hearted person his entire life. A finer, sweeter, nicer soul would be difficult to find. He has served his church, community, friends, family and God since he was a boy.
But now this beloved man needs our help in healing his severe medical condition. Many years ago Martin contracted Lyme disease and Prions, both of which remained undiagnosed until recently. These diseases have left him with limited ability to communicate, engage in life and perform his life's purpose; his priestly duties.
Perhaps worse is that he exists in abject misery 24 hours a day; with severe brain-fog, compromised functional ability and a severe case of tinnitus (loud hissing in his ears.) He also experiences severe cognitive and memory challenges and at only 54 can no longer drive, cook, shop or perform normal tasks we take for granted.
Fr. Martin has lived with an elderly couple for over 10 years who have been his caregivers. However, the husband recently died and the widow is finding it difficult to take care of Martin with her limited funds and energy. It pains him deeply that he cannot contribute to her financial and physical needs, and instead has to rely on her for so much.
The good news, finally, is that through a referral Martin has found a respected clinic in Georgia, which specializes in severe cases like his. They seem to produce remarkable results and are giving realistic hope that after treatment he should be able to reclaim his health and ministry. Just the possibility of that for Martin has given him hope for the first time in many years.
To accomplish this, however, we need to ask you and other compassionate beings to help Father Martin in any way possible. While he does receive a modest monthly stimpend from the Church, it's not nearly enough to pay for his medical needs, which he has paid out-of-pocket for years. And now, just when he needs financial resources the most, his options for assistance are exhausted.
The Rest of the Story:
My name is Lindsay Kenny and I'm a retiring Life Coach, living in N. California, over 2000 miles from Martin. I've worked with Fr. Martin via phone and Skype for over 12 years to help reclaim his health and life. Together we have explored every reasonable and “unreasonable” path, plan and idea to find a diagnosis and treatment for his unusual maladies. We have solicited help from countless health care professionals, traditional and alternative; all to no avail… until now.
Just recently we discovered the culprits (previously mentioned) that have caused his many symptoms. And, we believe we now see the path restored health. Furthermore, we feel we even know the source of his symptoms and illnesses.
It appears that Fr. Martin's health issues actually began after a severe, childhood trauma. Tragically, Martin was sexually abused, multiple times, by a priest, when he was only 9 years old. Deeply ashamed and fearing it would crush his parents to hear the awful truth, Martin chose to kept the secret to himself.
The already shy, sweet, boy withdrew from his family and the world and has never been the same since those horrific nights. Among many other challenges mentioned elsewhere in this narrative, the saddest may be that Martin has long-since lost his ability to feel normal emotions like joy, happiness and peace of mind.
Life “after” has been extremely difficult for Martin, yet through shear determination and perseverance he was able to graduate from the Catholic Seminary and fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a priest. He was so grateful that his parents lived to witness his induction into priesthood. Sadly, however, they passed away knowing how ill he was and before this diagnosis.
Our Plea:
The impetus to start this campaign came entirely from my family and other friends. We have given all we can to help Martin and now we are asking for the kindness of strangers to contribute to his quest in restoring his health. We are so grateful that a viable solution has been found and are asking for your contribution, even if a small amount, to help with that. Your donation will be used solely to assist in getting him to the clinic in Georgia and to pay for the resulting medical bills.
Please consider helping this kind-hearted, sweet, intelligent man to regain the life he lost so many years ago. Even $5 would help and more is appreciated. While we are hoping to raise $10,000 for Father Martin, we know his expenses will be far more than that.
If you can’t afford to contribute monetarily, please consider posting this link and a few words on your Social Media accounts:
https://www.gofundme.com/Compassion4Martin
Together we can accomplish so much. Thank you so very much for reading this and acting on it.
Disclosure:
Martin’s parents eventually found out what had happened to him when he was older, as other children came forward with their abuse stories by the same priest. Like the other families and victims in the movie "Spotlight", Martin’s family was drawn into his story of pain and loss.
At first Martin did not want us to share his abuse or the circumstances with the public. However, he now sees how every part of his story is an important piece of the puzzle. Although reluctant to ask for me (he isn't, WE are,) he has agreed on this campaign and this narrative. He has, however, asked us to exclude his last name and location.
Martin has not become a “victim” and does not blame his condition on the abuse. Nor is he angry at the church for not adequately supporting him through many years of turmoil. He is sad and disappointed, however, but has never given up…as many people would have under the circumstances. He remains optimistic that he has finally found the answer and solution.
Note: You may contribute anonymously, in name and amount donated. However, Father Martin will attempt thank everyone personally who provides their support.