Help Me Rebuild My Life with MS — Before It's Too Late

By Richard Kolcz

Hi, my name is Richard Kolcz. I'm 46 years old, and I’m asking for help with something I never thought I’d have to say: I need a second chance at life. I’ve fought through hell to stay alive — addiction, MS, homelessness — and now I’m at the edge again. I don’t want to just survive. I want to live with dignity, purpose, and peace before it’s all gone.

My Life Changed Overnight

In 2021, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Before that, I worked in the trades as a carpenter, bricklayer, and roofer. I was strong. I trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 20 years, boxed, ran, cycled, and lived in the gym. But MS took almost everything: my movement, my energy, my independence — even my sense of identity.

I’ve now had to learn to walk five times in four years. I’ve spent a total of 23:months in hospitals and rehab, from 2021 to 2025 and in 2024 I was discharged — not to a home, but to my van. They told me I was doing “too much physio,” when I was in physio , that was one I remember clearly, doing to much physio lol , so they kicked me out of care and left me with nowhere to go. I lived in that van with MS for four months.

Homeless. Disabled. Alone.

I lost my apartment. I lost most of my belongings. Have not got to live with my dog ( pug) Jitz — named after jiu-jitsu — and only saw him for 2 out of 4 years. I lost 90% of my friends and my family won’t help me. I’m alone.

I’m currently back in the hospital receiving treatment after yet another flare-up. But they may discharge me again any day now, and if that happens — I’ll be back living in a van in Northern Ontario. It’s September. Winter is coming. I don’t have warm enough clothes, a place to go, or any safety net left.

What I’ve Done To Fight Back

I’ve stayed sober for 8 years after a decade of addiction.

I’ve rebuilt my ability to walk again and again.

I eat clean, take my vitamins and supplements, and work out every day, even in bed using resistance bands.

I stretch. I meditate. I don’t give up.

This summer, I even made it to a festival for a weekend with a walker and cane — just to feel alive again.

Why I’m Asking For Help

I’ve spent every dollar I’ve had over the last four years trying to survive — on food, supplements, and bare essentials.

Now I have nothing. No home. No furniture. No heat. No gear.

And I’m exhausted from doing it alone.

This is not a sob story — this is a fight.

I’m asking for help to:

Secure a safe apartment (first/last month’s rent, deposit)

Buy basic furniture and appliances (I have nothing)

Repair my van so I don’t freeze again this winter

Get proper mobility equipment that fits

Buy food, supplements, vitamins and hygiene supplies

Get painting and writing supplies — because I’m not done dreaming

Get workout gear to stay strong and independent

Maybe even see my dog again one day

I currently live on ODSP disability, which gives about $500/month for rent — but in Sudbury, Ontario, that doesn’t even cover a shoebox. After bills, I’m left with about $300–$350/month to live on. It’s not enough to survive, let alone recover.

My Dream: One Last Shot at a Life Worth Living

If I can fix my van, I want to travel.

I want to paint, to write, and sell my art at festivals while I still can.

I want to finish the script I’m writing about my childhood best friend who passed away., it’s a script about two friends in the 80s that were known as the terrible two lol

I want to show people that even with MS and addiction behind you — you can still create something beautiful before it’s all taken away.

If I Don’t Get Help

I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve tried everything.

I’ve fought this disease for four years on my own, and it’s hard as hell to even ask strangers for help like this. But no one in my life is helping me, and this is all I’ve got left.

If I’m discharged from the hospital, I’ll be homeless again.

No heat. No home. No help.

Just a van and a Northern Ontario winter.

If You’re Still Reading — Thank You

If you’ve made it this far, thank you.

If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you can share this — even once — you could change my life.

I’m not done.

I still have life in this body.

I just need a second chance.

Thank you for helping me take it.

— Richard