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WHO WAS EDWIN?
Edwin E. Patterson was not a medically healthy man. Born in 1965, a devastating heart condition forced him to move back and forth from Oregon to California in search of cures. His feet swelled from gout, his teeth began to fall out, he was perpetually fatigued, and medication made it worse. The side effects of one drug just caused more complications, requiring more unhelpful meds in a cruel cycle. By 2005, he was unable to drive and could only move with the assistance of a cane. That heart condition eventually took his life. Just two days ago, on July 28, 2015, Edwin passed away. He was a few months short of 50 years old.
Edwin may not have been physically well, but he was always proud of what he'd accomplished before contracting his disease. He was a manager at several department stores and was renowned for his people skills and problem-solving abilities. Edwin was charming, direct, and adorably geeky. A love of music, the Dodgers, Dungeons and Dragons (he played a Paladin called Windorf Heartfellow), his alma mater (James Monroe High School), and his family flowed through his veins.
WHO IS JESSICA?
Edwin is survived by the member of his family he loved most: his one and only daughter, Jessica Ann Patterson. Jessica is 23 years old, and one of the first in her family to get a Bachelors. She is sincere, kind, humble, dedicated, artistic, and loving. Ed called her his "pumpkin." There's nothing that Ed loved more than seeing Jessica perform--as the lead in CSU Northridge's productions, the featured soloist at Cleveland High School's graduation, in a Santa Monica Children's Theater, or even to karaoke in their apartment's living room.
Edwin had been divorced for nearly fifteen years, so his funeral arrangements fall to Jessica, his next-of-kin. Ed's brothers, sisters, and parents, in enacting Ed's will, have arrived at a cost of $5,300 to give him the viewing and cremation he deserved. Ed suffered greatly over the last 15 years of his life. We need to give him the send-off he's earned, so we beg for your generosity.
Edwin's pain is over, but Jessica's continues. Over the last six months, she graduated with roughly $30,000 worth of debt. She works three jobs, performs Frozen songs at birthday parties, attended to her father's health needs, and now must cope with losing a father and pay for a funeral with money she doesn't have.
It gets worse: Ed didn't have a lot, but what he had was a few pieces of jewelry and some expensive technology (a speaker system, a laptop, a tablet, and a TV). For the last month-and-a-half, these precious items have been stolen from his apartment. Yesterday, Jessica went there and found the squatter. The police were notified, the man was removed, and a full investigation is forthcoming, but a total of $2,500--the bulk of Jessica's inheritance--was taken away. The squatter, when questioned, was aware of Ed's passing. The audacity and cruelty of this person to steal from a dying man is nearly unbearable, but Jessica is strong.
WHY SUPPORT?
None of this is fair, but we can help make it right. I've set the ask for $10,000 because $5,300 would cover the funeral cost, $2,500 would repair Jessie's lost inheritance, and the remaining $2,200 would ensure that she can walk through the next few months. We are reliant on your support and goodwill. If you know Edwin, please help honor his legacy and support his daughter. If you know Jessica, you're aware of her endless kindness and patience--it's time for us to help her, the way she's aided us all. If the 500 people I know care deeply about this father and daughter give $20 each, we'll honor one life and save another. Even if you don't have the money to spare, please take two seconds to share this link.
Edwin E. Patterson was not a medically healthy man. Born in 1965, a devastating heart condition forced him to move back and forth from Oregon to California in search of cures. His feet swelled from gout, his teeth began to fall out, he was perpetually fatigued, and medication made it worse. The side effects of one drug just caused more complications, requiring more unhelpful meds in a cruel cycle. By 2005, he was unable to drive and could only move with the assistance of a cane. That heart condition eventually took his life. Just two days ago, on July 28, 2015, Edwin passed away. He was a few months short of 50 years old.
Edwin may not have been physically well, but he was always proud of what he'd accomplished before contracting his disease. He was a manager at several department stores and was renowned for his people skills and problem-solving abilities. Edwin was charming, direct, and adorably geeky. A love of music, the Dodgers, Dungeons and Dragons (he played a Paladin called Windorf Heartfellow), his alma mater (James Monroe High School), and his family flowed through his veins.
WHO IS JESSICA?
Edwin is survived by the member of his family he loved most: his one and only daughter, Jessica Ann Patterson. Jessica is 23 years old, and one of the first in her family to get a Bachelors. She is sincere, kind, humble, dedicated, artistic, and loving. Ed called her his "pumpkin." There's nothing that Ed loved more than seeing Jessica perform--as the lead in CSU Northridge's productions, the featured soloist at Cleveland High School's graduation, in a Santa Monica Children's Theater, or even to karaoke in their apartment's living room.
Edwin had been divorced for nearly fifteen years, so his funeral arrangements fall to Jessica, his next-of-kin. Ed's brothers, sisters, and parents, in enacting Ed's will, have arrived at a cost of $5,300 to give him the viewing and cremation he deserved. Ed suffered greatly over the last 15 years of his life. We need to give him the send-off he's earned, so we beg for your generosity.
Edwin's pain is over, but Jessica's continues. Over the last six months, she graduated with roughly $30,000 worth of debt. She works three jobs, performs Frozen songs at birthday parties, attended to her father's health needs, and now must cope with losing a father and pay for a funeral with money she doesn't have.
It gets worse: Ed didn't have a lot, but what he had was a few pieces of jewelry and some expensive technology (a speaker system, a laptop, a tablet, and a TV). For the last month-and-a-half, these precious items have been stolen from his apartment. Yesterday, Jessica went there and found the squatter. The police were notified, the man was removed, and a full investigation is forthcoming, but a total of $2,500--the bulk of Jessica's inheritance--was taken away. The squatter, when questioned, was aware of Ed's passing. The audacity and cruelty of this person to steal from a dying man is nearly unbearable, but Jessica is strong.
WHY SUPPORT?
None of this is fair, but we can help make it right. I've set the ask for $10,000 because $5,300 would cover the funeral cost, $2,500 would repair Jessie's lost inheritance, and the remaining $2,200 would ensure that she can walk through the next few months. We are reliant on your support and goodwill. If you know Edwin, please help honor his legacy and support his daughter. If you know Jessica, you're aware of her endless kindness and patience--it's time for us to help her, the way she's aided us all. If the 500 people I know care deeply about this father and daughter give $20 each, we'll honor one life and save another. Even if you don't have the money to spare, please take two seconds to share this link.