Hello, my name is James and I am a philosopher, film maker, and teacher who enjoys working very hard but now have a disease that punishes hard work. I have had to sacrifice work opportunities, my home, friendships, my dog, and simple life joys like going for a long walk, drinking coffee, and working out.

I am now learning humility by reaching out to the world for help in my process to overcome this neurological disease that leaves me bed-ridden for days, sometimes weeks at a time, unable to walk or even talk. It began while I was living in North Africa: I was teaching English in a school and a little girl sneezed on me...I knew she gave me covid, but never imagined it would lead to something worse.

For the last 4 years, I have been suffering from something called "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis" or "Chronic fatigue Syndrome"- but the name doesn't come close to describing how severe the symptoms are; It causes severe lack of energy, insomnia, heart rate issues, headaches, fevers, brain fog, neuroinflammatory pain in the entire body and more. It most often gets triggered by a viral infection such as Covid, like mine did. Basically, the nervous, immune, and energy production systems of the body are dysregulated, and the brain shuts your body down for protection; Therefore, any emotional, mental, and physical stress is very difficult to tolerate and so working and living a normal life is impossible.

The world's healthcare systems do not understand it very well yet and a biological diagnosis has only recently been discovered but is not officially deployed yet, so I have been unable to apply for financial assistance in any way, and it will years before it becomes available. For now, diagnosis happens through trial and error over years. Unfortunately, many people are getting this due to the pandemic and are unaware that they are making their condition worse...

Recently, MECFS has caused me a serious nervous system crash that has left me more severely disabled than I can handle. However thanks to my very supportive and hero of a mother and sister who are also very disabled- I have some money for food which goes a long way as I have come to Colombia to survive and heal because it's much cheaper here. Otherwise, I don't have a family support system.

Here in Colombia, I did lose my apartment as I could no longer pay however and thanks to an Angelic family here, they are keeping me housed in their wonderful paradise free of charge until I get back on my feet.

The good news is that many people get better and some people who do the right things recover fully and get their lives back, but it takes a solid year to 1.5 years of solid rehabilitation which I've now begun. This center are experts who understand how recovery is done with CFS: https://cfsrecovery.com/

For the last 4 years, I have been living at friend's places (Like my best friend Bettina, another Angel in my lifel) and working less than 10 hours a week and living very very cheaply but I can't go on like this any longer.

What I need is help to finance the following things that will save my life:

1: Therapy from an MECFS counselor (CFS Recovery center)

2: Various supplements & medications

3: Better nutrition and vitamins

4: Repair my laptop to begin

working online to support

myself when I can.

IN RETURN, I promise to do my very best to recover and even surpass my former health. I don't promise anything I don't yet have but I'd like to at least add you as my donors to a private what's app group to show you the impact you have on me, and God willing one day I'll be able to do more for you as well!

If you have read this far, here is why I believe that I am worth the investment:

In my life, I have experienced many traumas since early childhood.

These things caused existential and identity crisis, addiction, severe depression, suicide attempts, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, and multiple burnouts.

Being stuck in survival mode my whole life, it's no wonder my nervous system was susceptible to this condition I have now.

But I'm no pity case and I'm no victim, it's because I've overcome all those things that I am well equipped to overcome chronic illness now too, and go on to use all my experience to fulfill a higher purpose.

I'm no hero but I want to be: I have been working on opening a retreat center to help people with existential crisis, health issues of various kinds and more, but this illness is slowing me down and so I must deal with it first.

I truly believe my life path has been laid out this way as an example for others and as a way to teach me what I need to do the important work I have to do in my unique purpose in life.

I love to learn languages, live in different countries, write books, dance, make films, work out, teach, help people, and want to be a father one day. I am 34 years old and still have so much more passion and ambition in me to become a great person capable of providing for my family, friends, and others as I achieve my goals.

These goals are to teach the knowledge I've gained, facilitate events that promote human well-being, speak around the world to create a human community, and so much more.

Step one has been to humble myself and reach out for help from anyone who is willing and able.

So thank you for your time, attention, contributions, and love!

Warmly,

James