Hello all! To family and friends...I know I haven't been the easiest to keep in touch with since moving to San Diego over 20 years ago and for that I apologize. I always got caught up in this lifestyle out West but I had to make new friends and family along the way in order to be myself and survive and have a life out here that I call home. Through many ups and downs I have always managed to pull myself together and get back on track.

I'm reaching out today to let you know that I have fallen a little apart. On Friday June 24th at 7:15am...I rented an electric scooter on my way to a carpool to work down by the border. Within 30 seconds of riding the scooter, I crashed hitting a curb and launching off onto the sidewalk going downhill. I don't have much recollection from there but by 8:00am I was admitted to ICU and waking up. I broke my right wrist and required surgery with metal implant. I fractured my left arm and elbow. I hit my head which caused brain bleed and a C1 spinal fracture in my neck. I was pretty bruised up with road rash as well and stitches to my left ear. I am due for further evaluation this week.

I have applied for temporary state disability through California and my place of employment has agreed to pay during my absence 1 pay period. I am going to be out of work for Eight weeks. In my experience, it takes California EDD 30+ days to actually approve and review your claim and the same length to send a disability check. My job offering my next and only paycheck up to the 14th of July, doesn't exactly provide the income I need to pay rent and bills for the next 2 months. I do not have an emergency fund, and like a lot of others I know...California has become very expensive over the last 10 years.

The job I now hold is the best I have attained in my career here in quite some time. A start up tech company making big moves...I was hired on as a Team Lead 7 months ago. And this accident that has happened is devastating to me and what it means to my dedication to this new company. I hope that my recovery takes less than eight weeks and I can be back soon but having no income at the moment to pay bills, rent, to live, to travel back and forth to my doctor appointments is what is truly heartbreaking personally for me in this moment of weakness in my life.

If you have read through this and can find it in your heart to help a family member, an old friend...a distant memory meant not to fade, please consider my situation. Thank you to you all and God bless.

-Wesley M. Chapman