Almost a year ago, I suffered a stroke as fallout from a septic shock incident that happened a year before, which put me in a coma for a month and nearly killed me. Since then, I’ve been doing what work I am able, but my health has prevented me from returning to my main line of work as an engineer. Despite my doctor’s advice to rest for 18 months to 2 years, I went back to work after just seven weeks. Since then, I’ve had a heart attack, a stroke, and a second potential micro stroke. I didn’t listen, as I had no real choice, and haven’t stopped since then. I suppose that’s part of why my recovery has been so hard and taken so long.

Now, I’m facing a particularly tough summer. The only types of work I’ve been able to do since my illness slow down dramatically during the summer months. Contract work doesn’t operate during the summer, cutting my revenue by more than 40%. I’ve tried making up the difference through other work, but that also drops off. It’s the heat, and many people leave the state until milder temperatures return. I anticipated this and saved what I could, but the downturn this year is even worse than last, and my meager savings have run out before I could get through it. My contract work resumes in late July, with pay and bonuses materializing in the first week of August. If I can cover that period, I should be fine and able to start saving again, make up my losses, and hopefully return to a more normal, less precarious life.

If you can see your way to donating, I believe this will be the last fundraiser I’ll ever need. I’ve fought hard to survive and recover, and what I need most now is time. Your support will help me get through this lean period and back to work, and you’ll have my eternal gratitude. With luck, I’ll be able to keep sharing, laughing, and living a little longer.