Josh's Dang Dad Died & He Just Wants To Finish His Degree

My name is Josh Maupin, and I need some help. Last month, June 2024, my father passed away. We had a difficult relationship, to put nicely. I've struggled with depression and anxiety for the better portion of my life, and his death prompted issues that I am currently addressing with doctors. I know life isn't easy - but the past few years have brought a string of challenges and I need a hand.

This fundraiser will be put towards covering bills, medical expenses, and finishing my Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering.

I am a 32 year old living in Georgia. I live with my wife, two sisters-in-law, and a pack of three cats: Mabel, Dipper, and Banana. The four of us are all working adults contributing to the household, although the cats could pull their weight more. I initially attend college in Indiana, my home state, and due to the same mental health issues I am struggling with today, withdrew from classes. My girlfriend of six years - now wife of almost three years - moved to Georgia for a fresh start in 2018. I worked various jobs making ends meet, slowly working my way up. I stocked shelves at a grocery story, managed a shipping store, and worked the swing shift at a call center for an online auction house. My wife has worked very hard and found success in her career, and I am unimaginably proud of her and all she's accomplished. We got married on Halloween 2021, had our honeymoon in February of 2022, and two weeks later I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. It was on 3/14/22. Pi Day. I can't think of a more ironic day to get diagnosed with diabetes.

I knew I needed to make a change, and gain stability and control over my future. I started to teach myself programming basics with free online resources, but after my hospitalization, I enrolled at Kennesaw State University in August of 2022 to finally earn my degree. Through a great stroke of luck, In November 2022 I accepted a job with a marketing firm doing data processing work using those technical skills I taught myself - and most amazing yet - I was compensated well enough to pay for my continued education out of pocket. I have a very bittersweet memory of hugging my spouse and feeling optimistic about my future for the first time in a long time. The firm was acquired one month after I started on January 2023, and I was laid off in February 2023 after 3 months.

I took one class a semester in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 as it was all I could afford while finding work. I had to manage my diabetes and mental health without access to health care. I spent the past 6 months working 40+ hours in a warehouse, watching class lectures on my lunch break, saving money and taking things one day at a time, and feeling like I'm returning to a place of stability. There isn't a great time for your father with whom you have a difficult relationship to die, but early June 2024. I'm getting help and working towards a better future - but I can't do this by myself.

Money and my battles against anxiety and depression have been my greatest hurdles to accomplishing my educational and professional goals. I am very proud of my currently held 3.86 GPA. Assistance with the financial burden of a higher education and managing my health would make a world of difference and ease some of the stress these last few years have served my way. The current fundraising goal would cover tuition costs for classes and get me caught up on bills and medical expenses. The dream outcome for this fundraiser would be to raise enough money to study as a full-time student, and have the privilege to focus on bettering myself.

To friends and family close to my father - I apologize for the provocative title. He was a very different person to everyone, and this was the sort of person he was to me. I know your lives have been altered, I know you are suffering, and I am sorry for your loss.

I want to be able to provide security and uplift my family and loved ones, and finishing my education and taking care of my health are the first steps. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

The goal of $12,500 represents the cost of living for the remainder of the year (Rent, health care, food, and transportation) and tuition for the Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 semesters.