It’s tough to ask for help.  I am swallowing my pride because I love my brother Scott and want to see him live and thrive. I will only have peace if I am sure I have done all I can to help him. 

In some ways making the title "Help Save My Brothers Life" felt too dramatic for the naming of this request ..and I was hesitant but, in my heart, this is where we are at.   It's not a car accident, cancer or a fire, but in many ways, mental health issues and addictions are just as life-threatening....they are just not so obvious.

So many times I wondered if the last time I spoke to Scott would actually be ...the last time I spoke to him.  His warm and kind smile hides a tremendous amount of pain. Like Robin Williams, many would be surprised to know that this happy  appearing guy battles so many inner demons.  Others, who have been entrenched in the turmoil, know the pain too well.

I was more willing to ask for help after seeing the announcement of Kay Warren’s Hope Rising conference that is coming up in  May.  http://kaywarren.com/event/930649-2017-05-19-hope-rising/.   So many people and families suffer silently with mental illness and addictions and the more people who are willing to discuss and address it, the less stigma and negative power it will have.  

Scott has struggled with mental illness and addictions for a long time.  About 9 months ago, after he had lost his job and was recovering from knee surgery, he agreed to go to a substance abuse program. He successfully completed the substance abuse portion of the program and it was decided that he should transition from there into an eating disorder treatment program to continue to address his mental health issues and life-threatening food disorder.   He has made good progress there and now, we are at the next step.

I am raising funds to help Scott complete the treatment program  and get to the final stage where he will live in an out-patient setting with the goal of becoming self-sustaining.  I am proud of him for the hard, deep work he has done so far and I can clearly see him using new tools and gaining insights he did not have before.  This healing journey is helping and hope is rising.  He is almost there.   

The monthly cost of his treatment and living expenses for the next 4 months is $3,000.00/month.      We need to raise the funds as soon as possible to help Scott complete this program successfully.  Without the support, Scott is being faced with homelessness.

I assure you all donations will be used to cover the costs associated with Scott’s treatment and living expenses. Thank you for any amount you are led to give.  Other ways you can help?  Please reach out to him and pray for him. He needs continued hope, encouragement and strength to complete this journey.

Below is a note from Scott that describes his journey. 

___________________________________________________________

I have been trying to live a life my children would be proud of.  I have found myself moving forward to dreams which seemed reasonable.  Yet, time and time again, I've found myself hitting some chaotic point and when I did, my dysfunctional coping skills took over.  I would eat my feelings away, or drink to ignore what was going on. Then the shame would take over and I would feel worthless.  This was the last thing I wanted to feel, so the cycle would start again.  I can't begin to explain how helpless and hopeless I have felt ever since my divorce in 1995.  I have tried to make my life a success through beginning different employment positions, becoming active in churches, and becoming an owner-operator in trucking.  But I have been a failure in so many ways, that I am the last one who should be asking for any type of support.

So, why am I telling you all of this?  Because, in order to maintain my current program and continue on to the next step in the process, it requires a financial commitment which I currently do not have.  It is my prayer that some of you will be able to support me on the rest of my journey; be it one dollar, or one thousand. 

I feel extremely inadequate in asking for this, or any type of support.  For in the past, I have needed and received assistance.  In these instances I struggled and failed in my attempts to become self-sufficient for a period of greater than three years.  Many who helped saw their assistance sometimes squandered.  Other times, seeing my sincere attempts turn into chaos after I fell into a crisis; ending up in a worst position than before.   
 
This time it is different.  I have completed weeks of individual and group counseling dealing with every problem area of my life.  I have also been substance free since June 2nd, and binge free from food since December 2nd.  I continue to receive some of the best therapy in the U.S.  Therefore, if you have the desire and ability to provide financial support as I continue on my last portion of the program, I will be forever grateful if you choose to help me.     

Sincerely,

Scott