Dale's chronic illness respite fund
Donation protected
If you know Dale, you know that he is the most unique, creative and compassionate man alive. He is the friend that shows up. He is the one you can count on -- for laughs, wit and presence. Something that you may or may not know about him is that Dale lives with a chronic neurological illness - a chronic illness that has become disabling over the course of this last year through many events that have been out of his control.
The longish story short:
Dale put all of his energy and resources into building his own design and woodwork business, Tonsilvania Designs for the last two years. In December of last year, he was offered a seemingly amazing opportunity to move into a live-work space that had a ground-level gallery and was promised the ability to use this space for woodworking -- this is crucial for Dale, since his chronic illness is related to chemical exposure and when he breathes in solvents and other caustic chemicals, his nervous system is debilitated for long periods of time. Prior to moving into this space, he had a private studio where he used only plant based finishes and planned to do the same in his new gallery. Four months into living in this new space, the manager (who promised him multiple times that he could do woodwork out of this live-work space) stated that he could no longer do woodwork in his unit due to noise issues and complaints from some grumpy neighbors. With huge design jobs pending and deadlines due, Dale was forced to use a communal workspace where he was exposed to finishes, sealants and other chemicals for about 7 months, daily. (Yes, he wore a respirator, but his sensitivity is so strong that it didn't work.)
This constant exposure has rendered Dale unable to work and in great need of medical treatment, as well as neurological rehab to get back to his unique, creative, compassionate self. This is going to take time and money, which we just don't have.
What Dale needs: I am calling on you, our community to come together to help with Dale's respite, medical, psychological and financial need. He is unable to work due to his illness and needs very specialized medical treatments that are not covered by OHP -- namely, we are going to start neuro biofeedback to heal the chemical brain injury that underlies his chronic illness. While focusing on healing, Dale will need to pay for rent, therapy, bills, Igor, medical treatments, tons of supplements, labs, possibly an MRI and clean, healing foods to further his healing.
**His financial need is urgent, as rent is going to be due in three weeks and if we don't have the means for it, he is facing houselessness. And his health is on the line.**
Please share this with your networks and consider donating. ANY little bit helps. Also, if you offer any treatments here in Portland such as chiro, cranio-sacral or naturopathy please consider donating services. My business, Cornerstone Doula Trainings will be doing a drawing to gift a full CBE or Doula certification to someone on this donor list for every 25% of our goal met. The recipient can use this for themselves or gift it to a friend or community member who wants to become a doula. We will also be donating $20 from every course signup to this fund.
Thank you for being a part of our community and network. If you know me - Nickie, you know that Dale has been the most loving and supportive partner to me. His presence in my life has definitely changed it forever and I hope that we can show up for him in the way that he would show up for us, if asked.
In love and solidarity,
Nickie
The longish story short:
Dale put all of his energy and resources into building his own design and woodwork business, Tonsilvania Designs for the last two years. In December of last year, he was offered a seemingly amazing opportunity to move into a live-work space that had a ground-level gallery and was promised the ability to use this space for woodworking -- this is crucial for Dale, since his chronic illness is related to chemical exposure and when he breathes in solvents and other caustic chemicals, his nervous system is debilitated for long periods of time. Prior to moving into this space, he had a private studio where he used only plant based finishes and planned to do the same in his new gallery. Four months into living in this new space, the manager (who promised him multiple times that he could do woodwork out of this live-work space) stated that he could no longer do woodwork in his unit due to noise issues and complaints from some grumpy neighbors. With huge design jobs pending and deadlines due, Dale was forced to use a communal workspace where he was exposed to finishes, sealants and other chemicals for about 7 months, daily. (Yes, he wore a respirator, but his sensitivity is so strong that it didn't work.)
This constant exposure has rendered Dale unable to work and in great need of medical treatment, as well as neurological rehab to get back to his unique, creative, compassionate self. This is going to take time and money, which we just don't have.
What Dale needs: I am calling on you, our community to come together to help with Dale's respite, medical, psychological and financial need. He is unable to work due to his illness and needs very specialized medical treatments that are not covered by OHP -- namely, we are going to start neuro biofeedback to heal the chemical brain injury that underlies his chronic illness. While focusing on healing, Dale will need to pay for rent, therapy, bills, Igor, medical treatments, tons of supplements, labs, possibly an MRI and clean, healing foods to further his healing.
**His financial need is urgent, as rent is going to be due in three weeks and if we don't have the means for it, he is facing houselessness. And his health is on the line.**
Please share this with your networks and consider donating. ANY little bit helps. Also, if you offer any treatments here in Portland such as chiro, cranio-sacral or naturopathy please consider donating services. My business, Cornerstone Doula Trainings will be doing a drawing to gift a full CBE or Doula certification to someone on this donor list for every 25% of our goal met. The recipient can use this for themselves or gift it to a friend or community member who wants to become a doula. We will also be donating $20 from every course signup to this fund.
Thank you for being a part of our community and network. If you know me - Nickie, you know that Dale has been the most loving and supportive partner to me. His presence in my life has definitely changed it forever and I hope that we can show up for him in the way that he would show up for us, if asked.
In love and solidarity,
Nickie
Organizer
Nickie Tilsner
Organizer
Portland, OR
