Hi, my name is Joseph Grilli and I am 39 years old. My birthday is December 3rd, 1985, and I am originally from NC. I moved out here to AZ over 15 years ago because my family passed away. One was my grandpa who died of old age and my dad who died from stage 3 cancer. I say family because my dad and grandfather were the only family I've ever had. So, I ended up moving out here about 15 years ago for many reasons such as more opportunities, public transportation, and resources to help people get back on their feet after experiencing devastating losses, which always leads to homelessness. That and so many other things as well.

I grew up with a hearing impairment because I was born premature by nearly 2 months. I had a twin brother who was born just before me, and he died immediately. I was expected to die as well, but I survived, which is why everyone was shocked. I was born premature with hearing issues from the beginning of my life. Just to explain my life a little better, I have always had a hearing aid because if I didn't, then I was basically a mute because I cannot hear hardly anything. If I'm lucky to hear anything, I still can't make out what is being said to me.

So, to get a little deeper into my story, when I was in school, ever since elementary school, I was severely bullied daily. Then, come 8th grade, that was a life-altering year for me in middle school because I got jumped by a bunch of bullies in the boy's bathroom with a teacher standing right outside the whole time. I was telling and screaming for help from anyone who cared. While I was getting jumped, they purposely kicked my hearing aids into my ears, which caused them to puncture holes into my eardrums (both ears).

Normally, I had no trouble getting or keeping a job after I went to an interview. But since I haven't had any hearing aids, my whole life has fallen apart. I can barely talk to anyone because they all get impatient with me because I don't always hear them the first time. This makes everyone I come into contact with get irritated with me right in the beginning. I can't get jobs because I can't even hear anything they say, even after I explain to them that I can't hear well. I found out that since I haven't had any hearing aids, I've become a liability at any job because I can't hear anything that's going on around me without any hearing aids.

So now, I'm finally off the streets and no longer homeless, and I'd love to make new friends and socialize with more people, but I don't because it's extremely inconvenient for the other person I am trying to talk to now. For the first time in my life, I have not had a hearing aid. Usually, my family was around, and now since they are all dead, I have absolutely nobody else to depend on but myself. I'm just trying to get help with purchasing a new hearing aid so I can actually start living instead of just being here. If I could get the donations I need to purchase the hearing aid then the very first thing I would do is go to miracle ear in Mesa off of stapIey and mckellips and give them the exact amount that it would cost for the hearing I need and I would report it back on here if I see people are actually interested in helping me then I will get all the hearing aid information I need to find out what hearing aid works best for me and then I would just explain that to you or however you wish to handle it is ok with me. If you have any questions please feel free to call me at [phone redacted] and I'll be able to answer any questions you may have. Or u can text me which ever you prefer. Even though my hearing is really bad when I talk on telephone I can actually hear decent because it's like someone is talking into my ear. Because I can't hear my life is very minimal. And that's not who I am as a person. I love talking to people and helping people and just getting involved with the community, and I can't because I can't hear anything unless you're talking right into my ear. And that's 0 exaggeration on my part.

I also found out that my supposedly best friend who suggested I use this GoFundMe application to help me out with purchasing very, very, very much needed hearing aids. Well, he has been telling me that he hadn't started on it yet, but then today, by a stroke of good luck, I saw him checking the supposed GoFundMe account that he created supposedly for me. But he didn't want me to see what he wrote because he basically 100% took my story and kicked me out of the whole account because I guess he plans to use my story so everyone donates to his account that is using my story. He was my best friend until earlier today when I did read his account, and it verified what I suspected all along. He wouldn't even let me read the whole story he wrote about me. Honestly, I'm shocked that he would do this to me knowing I have no income, which is why I'm asking for help, whereas the other guy, my supposedly best friend, does have an income where he gets disability every month, the max amount.

So now I'm just trying to be able to get a hearing aid so I can finally hear again without having everyone repeating themselves to me. The quality of my life will increase by 200% without a doubt. For anyone who is interested in helping me with my situation, I truly appreciate your kind-heartedness because I know you truly care, and that's definitely a real blessing. Thanks for taking the time to read my story, and any donations are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help and time.