Help Dr Dave overcome homelessness

Hello, my name is Dylin Knight, and I am starting this GoFundMe for a man, many of you know as "Dr. Dave"

but known to me as Uncle Dave. I met him 5 years ago in Portland ME where he was driving for Uber at that

time, because he was disabled and unable to practice veterinary medicine. I can only say it was a God

thing that I happened to have him as my driver 3 different times in a span of 7 days. He sensed that I was

going through a hard time, and he shared with me freely his own struggles of the past and present and how

he overcame them. He offered me his friendship unconditionally, and he said he would always be there for

me always. Of course, all I could think was WTF is this guy coming on to me lol. But as time has passed, he

has proven that his unconditional friendship is truly genuine. Anyone who knows Dave knows his nature of

giving from his heart even when he had little to give for himself . No matter what time of day or night I

called he was there and at one point I called him because I was not feeling safe and within hours he had

arranged and paid for a plane flight for me from Portland ME to Buffalo NY to stay with him. HE NEVER

ASKED ONE QUESTION HE JUST DID IT!

In 2020 he decided to move back to his hometown of Buffalo, NY, where he had family and friends. He also

wanted to resume his career as a veterinarian, which was his passion and calling. He defied the odds and

the expectations of his doctors, who said he would never be able to practice veterinary medicine again,

especially after not practicing for seven years. He worked hard to regain his skills and knowledge, with the

help of Idexx, a large veterinary laboratory that offered him free consultations with board-certified

veterinarians in all the different specialties of small animal medicine, as he worked long hours at 2 local

animal hospitals and spent countless hours of continuing education after hours as well . He was known

for his compassion, expertise, and dedication. He loved his jobs, and he loved his patients. He was happy

and fulfilled.

In September of 2023 a headhunter called him and offered him a position as veterinarian that was as she

said I quote “ an offer he could not refuse” Hesitantly he accepted her offer to come out all expenses paid

to see the area and the hospital. After a day of being there they made him an offer that was substantially

higher than he had been making in Buffalo with the coveat that he relocated asap and started work. He

accepted the offer giving up his beautiful apartment in the best area of downtown buffalo that same day

,having to pay to break his lease and had 48 hours to find housing in the Adirondacks. Within 3 weeks he

was moved to the Adirondacks.

Anyone who knows Dave knows he is not a financial wizard. Quickly he realized that the pay increase had

put him in a tax bracket that took 33% of his paycheck in taxes etc. and the cost of housing in the area was

absorbent yet alone heating with oil the first time paying at times $800.00 a month to heat the residence

and $170.00 budget billing for electricity per month. He slowly started to get behind financially and the

working conditions when he first started were not what he was promised but, being Dave, he endured.

He had not been sharing with anyone that he started having significant health problems in February

of this year from possible diagnosis of prostate cancer to severe GI tract issues and as time went along

they found 3 hotspots one on his pancreas and two in his liver. A prostate biopsy was put on hold until the GI tract issues were resolved because they were concerned when an upper and lower study of his

GI tract should severe ulcerations of unknown origin throughout his Gi tract. And of course, this caused a

lot of anxiety and depression because he had no family or friends in the area to support.

Unfortunately, the biggest of the stressors on April 3rd . 2024 he was told at his pharmacy he no longer had

his Part D coverage as of March 31.2024. Long story short without warning, no letters or communications

on his My Medicare site Medicare cancelled his part A and B which in turn cancelled his Medicare part D

and his Medicare supplement G. The first month he had to pay $6000.00 out of his own pocket for his

medications The next month he just went with out his medications as he fought with Medicare who to this

date will say there were no notes as to why his Medicare Part A and B were cancelled. Finally on June 4th his

doctor placed him on a temporary leave of absence because his anxiety and depression were interfering

tremendously with his short term memory and his cognitive processes.

I had no idea until once again I called him during a dark time of my life last night and then he shared what

was happening to him. Bottom line he has not had an income since June 4th 2024 despite reaching out to

the Department of Social Services of Washington county immediately in June but since he had one

paycheck in June he was not eligible for any help to come back July 1st and after multiple attempts of sitting

for hours in their waiting area nothing materialized. His short-term disability company, which he paid

almost $94.00 a month through his employer denied his claim three times because of it being a preexisting

condition. He contacted SS to discuss retirement vs disability and after several weeks he finally got a

phone interview saying he could retire at this point but a $2000,00 a month which was $100 less than he

was receiving 11 years ago on SSDI. The agent said then she would start a new claim for SSDI but it would

take 8 to 12 months for that to process. The agent said to not to go to DSS again but to the office of the

aging instead and within 48 hours an incredible social worker Stephanie Raney was able to get him the max

benefit on food stamps and onto Medicaid as well as a Part D Medicare plan . but that was all she could do.

As of now another agency has stepped up called PAWH but again the social worker has spoken and

assured Dave that he could get the monies to pay the past rent due etc. even speaking directly with his

landlords in person on this last Tuesday, At this point he has not heard from one person from this agency

who he promised would contact him and that particular social work left on vacation for a week starting on

Friday with no names or phone numbers of any of his co workers

There is a beacon in the distance an agent called Dave in the last couple of days from Social Security

asking if he had 15 minutes to answer a few questions. After answering the questions she said she had fast

tracked him back on to SSDI at the amount of $3011.00 a month with the first check arriving on the third

Wednesday of August 2024.

Right now, all Dave wants is to be able to move back to buffalo, were he has family and friends having a

eviction court hearing on August 15, 2024 he is fearful of being homeless.

We went over the figures and at this point a goal of $4000.00 would be more than enough to get this man moved to Buffalo in an affordable apartment.

Why I am asking you to join me in this GoFundMe campaign, to help Dr Dave is He is a fighter and a

survivor, and he is not ready to give up. He still has a lot of love and wisdom to share with the world, and he

still has a lot of dreams and goals to achieve. He is not just a veterinarian; he is a hero and a mentor. He is

not just a friend; he is family. He is Uncle Dave, and he needs us.

8 Please consider donating, no matter how big or small, to help Dr. Dave with his expenses to move

to Buffalo into a safe affordable apartment. Every dollar counts and every donation matters. Please a

so share this campaign with your friends, family, and social media networks, to spread the word and to r

ise awareness. Please also keep Dr. Dave in your thoughts and prayers and send him positive vibe

and messages of encouragement. He needs to know that he is not alone, and that he has a lot of peop

e who care about him and who are rooting

or him. Thank you for your time and attention and thank you for your generosity and compassion. Together

we can make a difference in Dr. Dave's life, and we can help him overcome this challenge. Together, we

n show

him that he is loved and valued, and that he has a reason to live and hope. Together, we can be h