Summary

I am a 20-year Navy veteran, rated 100 percent permanently and totally disabled by the VA. I live with a spinal cord injury, left leg amputation, leukemia (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia), and chronic pain from three failed back surgeries.

The VA approved a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant to build an accessible bedroom and bathroom addition to my home. It was supposed to give me back independence and safety. Instead, I have been left with an unfinished, deteriorating structure and most of the grant funds gone.

I continue to serve my country as a DOD employee — but with the government furlough, my income is temporarily on hold, and I can’t afford to finish the work. I’m asking for help to make my home livable and safe again.

Goal: $50,000

My Story

After 20 years of military service, I learned how to adapt, improvise, and overcome. But this past year has been a battle I never expected to fight, one against fraud, neglect, and system failure.

The project began in February 2025 under Contractor A, which subcontracted the work to Contractor B.

In June, the owner of Contractor B died unexpectedly, halting construction. Soon after, Contractor A stopped responding to me and to the VA. By September, he had filed for bankruptcy, walking away and leaving my home exposed and unsafe.

The VA released $49,675 in two payments to Contractor A. He told me all of it went to Contractor B, but later his own son admitted they received the second disbursement of $26,500 two days after Contractor B’s death.

That money was never used for the project or paid to the subcontractors, who are now threatening liens against my home. To make matters worse, the VA released the second payment without verifying that siding installation, a required milestone, was ever completed.

Today, my home addition sits in ruin:

Only $66,000 of the SAH grant remains, far short of what is needed to repair the damage and finish construction.

Living With These Conditions

I live each day managing Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, which has required multiple medication changes because of severe side effects. My levels will likely never become undetectable or reach remission. Combined with my spinal injury, amputation, and chronic pain, daily life already takes everything I have.

This unfinished, unsafe environment makes basic tasks like moving safely through my home, showering, and sleeping incredibly difficult. I have reached every agency I can think of, but the bureaucracy moves slowly, and my health does not.

I’ve continued my public service as a full-time Department of Defense employee, doing my best to keep serving despite my disabilities. But with the government furlough, my income is temporarily on hold, and I’ve run out of options. I am asking for help from my community.

How the Funds Will Be Used

Every donation will go directly toward repairing and completing the home addition so I can live safely and with dignity.

Category Estimated Cost Purpose

How You Can Help

I am not asking for charity. I am asking for a hand up so I can finish what should have been done right the first time.

If you can donate, any amount helps move this forward. If you cannot, sharing this story helps just as much.

Your support will make it possible for me to live in a home that is safe, accessible, and worthy of the service I gave to my country.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for helping me reclaim both my home and my peace of mind.