Two years ago, my life changed forever after a severe back injury. I spent seven months in the hospital, enduring six procedures, including a 12-hour surgery to rebuild my spine with titanium. Before my injury, I was a respected painting contractor and owned a small farm, growing sweet potatoes, eggs, and other foods to help feed my community. My wife, worried about the economy and my business, convinced me to sign the farm over to her. While I was hospitalized, she sold the farm and left with another man, leaving me homeless and alone. Last winter, I lived in my truck, which was vandalized while I was in the hospital. I was forced out of inpatient physical therapy and had to return to my cold truck, wearing only a hospital gown and suffering from swollen feet and pain from my surgery. I lost my home, my farm, and the support of those I loved, and was left feeling isolated and ashamed.
The challenges didn’t stop there. In 2017, I lost my son, a house fire destroyed everything I owned. Now, in 2025, I am facing another battle: cancer. I don’t know what stage it is yet, but my truck broke down, making it impossible to get to my cardiologist appointment to ensure my heart is strong enough for anesthesia. Without the funds to repair my truck, my appointment was delayed by three months, and I worry about how much time I have. I am struggling to afford basic needs like clothes, food, and hygiene care. I have only one pair of socks, which I wash in the sink, and I eat canned spinach to get by. Even small comforts, like a blanket given to me by a kind stranger, mean the world to me.
I have no one to turn to for help, and I am asking for your support. I’ve learned from my friends of Bill Wilson that it’s okay to ask for help, even when it’s hard. If you can, please help me get to my medical appointments, wear clean clothes, and have the basics that make life a little more comfortable. Every bit of support—no matter how small—truly makes a difference. Your kindness can change my life right now, and I am deeply grateful for any help you can offer.
The challenges didn’t stop there. In 2017, I lost my son, a house fire destroyed everything I owned. Now, in 2025, I am facing another battle: cancer. I don’t know what stage it is yet, but my truck broke down, making it impossible to get to my cardiologist appointment to ensure my heart is strong enough for anesthesia. Without the funds to repair my truck, my appointment was delayed by three months, and I worry about how much time I have. I am struggling to afford basic needs like clothes, food, and hygiene care. I have only one pair of socks, which I wash in the sink, and I eat canned spinach to get by. Even small comforts, like a blanket given to me by a kind stranger, mean the world to me.
I have no one to turn to for help, and I am asking for your support. I’ve learned from my friends of Bill Wilson that it’s okay to ask for help, even when it’s hard. If you can, please help me get to my medical appointments, wear clean clothes, and have the basics that make life a little more comfortable. Every bit of support—no matter how small—truly makes a difference. Your kindness can change my life right now, and I am deeply grateful for any help you can offer.
Organizer
