Please Help Us Turn Things Around

Dear friends and family,

As many of you know, the last few months have been increasingly difficult for us here in Portland. The costs of moving my parents and then myself to the Pacific Northwest, dealing with my mother’s Dementia and ongoing medical issues, my father’s recent cancer surgery, the difficulties I’ve had finding work while caring for my parents, and numerous unexpected and onerous obstacles have put us in a place of dire financial distress. No single thing has led us to this place, but rather a combination of frustrating events.

I do feel blessed that after many long months of struggling with my mother’s health, we finally found an appropriate long-term facility. The care she is receiving is exceptional and she seems comfortable and relatively content. The staff is wonderful. Her mood and behavior have all improved exponentially.

I feel blessed that, by luck or grace, we discovered my father’s cancer, and an excellent surgeon moved very quickly to remove the tumor in his lung before it could spread. The rapid response saved my father the trials of radiation and chemotherapy. And while he is recovering well, it has certainly taken its toll on him emotionally and physically.

I’m blessed to have found a survival job near my father’s apartment that allows me the time to tend to him. However, the hours haven’t been consistent, and the rate is far less than the circumstances require. Not to mention the time that I have been unable to work due to commitments to my parents’ care.

Numerous other challenges have been laid in front our family over the last several months, the outstanding debts have mounted, the cost of my mother’s facility, mounting medical bills, etc. I have been working hard to find the means to staunch our financial wounds, find more fruitful work here in Portland, and course correct. I must admit that the mounting anxiety over our financial circumstances is incredible. And I have my own debts that go untended as I work to care for others.

I know that many of you understand exactly what I mean. I’m fully aware that many of you are struggling as well. I’ve seen numerous fundraisers floating about as many of my friends navigate their own obstacles. And my heart goes out.

It is with great reticence that I launch this GoFundMe campaign. I’ve arrived at a moment where I am willing to use any tool to fix this situation. I understand that this fundraiser is just that, a tool. I’m working on and searching for a permanent solution. I’m hoping that any contribution you might make will help me stabilize our circumstances so that I can change our financial trajectory.

With all humility, I thank you.

Darin