Pat's New Adventure
Donation protected
Hello! I have never done anything like this, but really feel led to show my brother, Pat, how God works through His people.
My brother, Pat, is 25 years old. At age 19, in his freshman yearof college, Pat lost his vision. Months of testing led to a diagnois of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) . This ultimately is a genetic disorder that significantly affects his central vision, causing legal blindness and the need for assistive technology to do day-to-day tasks. You can imagine how this may take a toll on an independent young man. I am proud to say that in just five years, Pat graduated college with his bachelor's degree, and even double-majored! However, it was not without difficultly, persistence, and hardships, above those that any typical college student may face. (Most students take 5 years now to complete their bachelor's degree, so for Pat to do this while blind is a big deal!) Like I said, I am a proud sister.
If you know Pat, you know he is not one to toot his own horn. He is a private person and does not want special treatment.
We live in a small town. There's no public transportation in this small town and that's a huge disadvantage to the visually impaired. Finding a job was a difficult due to the technicalities. In September of 2015, by the grace of God, Pat found an opportunity to interview for a job based out of state. It was something we have been praying for - a job that accommodates the visually impaired! Without going into details about the job, it's a WONDERFUL opportunity. He made it through the interview process and was offered the job, pending some red-tape processes, which they warned may take a while.
Fast forward to AUGUST 2016, Pat received clearance and starts his job September 12th! PRAISE GOD! This season of waiting has been hard, as you can imagine. After the diagnosis, getting through "the hard part" (college), and waiting so long to be offered a job, then to have to wait almost a year to get your start date.... that'll really teach you patience. For ME personally, it teaches me faith. I have had faith this entire time that God WILL provide in His time. This just goes to show you that He does, and He will, and it can maybe take a while. Only God knows why this process has been the way it has been, but I personally trust in His way and plan for Pat's life.
I was very overwhelmed with gratitude when Pat received his diagnosis in 2009. Our small hometown just poured out love and support in person and on social media. Prayer groups were started on Facebook. Elders of my church prayed over Pat. And I'm pretty sure he may still be on the prayer list at my mom's church, 7 years later. This just goes to show me, him, our family, and anyone watching that people DO care and they WANT to help in any way that they can. Sometimes there's no much we can do, other than pray and have faith.
I say all that to say...
In a short amount of time, Pat will have to move. He will be moving out of state. While this is an exciting time that we've prayed for for a long time, it's a nerve-wracking time as well. There are up-front costs needed to move such as deposit on an apartment, first & last month's rent, etc. He has some furniture from college, and I'm sure family/friends will (hopefully) get to move him to avoid moving costs.
Bascially, starting a new job/life/adventure out of state is expensive. I would like to offer the opportunity for anyone who feels led & is able to be able to offer to assist Pat financially with his move. I just think he's had enough to worry about & this may be nice to use this platform as a way to show Pat how much he is loved and supported, from our hometown & beyond!
Can't donate? Please say a prayer that everything lines up perfectly, that this is God's calling on Pat's life, and that there's nothing Pat needs to worry about.
Can donate, even a little? Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and we would love your prayers and well wishes as well. :)
*Side note: Full disclosure: As always, GoFundMe takes 8% of donations towards fees. If you wish for 100% of your donation to reach Pat, contact me to discuss.
**Another side note: Again, Pat doesn't want to toot his own horn, or ask for help. I'm his sister, and just trying to help! He has asked me if I know anyone that could maybe loan him some money. If you can't give, but would be able to loan, please let me know as well & that information can be relayed.
Simply thank you all for all the love & support!
My brother, Pat, is 25 years old. At age 19, in his freshman yearof college, Pat lost his vision. Months of testing led to a diagnois of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) . This ultimately is a genetic disorder that significantly affects his central vision, causing legal blindness and the need for assistive technology to do day-to-day tasks. You can imagine how this may take a toll on an independent young man. I am proud to say that in just five years, Pat graduated college with his bachelor's degree, and even double-majored! However, it was not without difficultly, persistence, and hardships, above those that any typical college student may face. (Most students take 5 years now to complete their bachelor's degree, so for Pat to do this while blind is a big deal!) Like I said, I am a proud sister.
If you know Pat, you know he is not one to toot his own horn. He is a private person and does not want special treatment.
We live in a small town. There's no public transportation in this small town and that's a huge disadvantage to the visually impaired. Finding a job was a difficult due to the technicalities. In September of 2015, by the grace of God, Pat found an opportunity to interview for a job based out of state. It was something we have been praying for - a job that accommodates the visually impaired! Without going into details about the job, it's a WONDERFUL opportunity. He made it through the interview process and was offered the job, pending some red-tape processes, which they warned may take a while.
Fast forward to AUGUST 2016, Pat received clearance and starts his job September 12th! PRAISE GOD! This season of waiting has been hard, as you can imagine. After the diagnosis, getting through "the hard part" (college), and waiting so long to be offered a job, then to have to wait almost a year to get your start date.... that'll really teach you patience. For ME personally, it teaches me faith. I have had faith this entire time that God WILL provide in His time. This just goes to show you that He does, and He will, and it can maybe take a while. Only God knows why this process has been the way it has been, but I personally trust in His way and plan for Pat's life.
I was very overwhelmed with gratitude when Pat received his diagnosis in 2009. Our small hometown just poured out love and support in person and on social media. Prayer groups were started on Facebook. Elders of my church prayed over Pat. And I'm pretty sure he may still be on the prayer list at my mom's church, 7 years later. This just goes to show me, him, our family, and anyone watching that people DO care and they WANT to help in any way that they can. Sometimes there's no much we can do, other than pray and have faith.
I say all that to say...
In a short amount of time, Pat will have to move. He will be moving out of state. While this is an exciting time that we've prayed for for a long time, it's a nerve-wracking time as well. There are up-front costs needed to move such as deposit on an apartment, first & last month's rent, etc. He has some furniture from college, and I'm sure family/friends will (hopefully) get to move him to avoid moving costs.
Bascially, starting a new job/life/adventure out of state is expensive. I would like to offer the opportunity for anyone who feels led & is able to be able to offer to assist Pat financially with his move. I just think he's had enough to worry about & this may be nice to use this platform as a way to show Pat how much he is loved and supported, from our hometown & beyond!
Can't donate? Please say a prayer that everything lines up perfectly, that this is God's calling on Pat's life, and that there's nothing Pat needs to worry about.
Can donate, even a little? Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and we would love your prayers and well wishes as well. :)
*Side note: Full disclosure: As always, GoFundMe takes 8% of donations towards fees. If you wish for 100% of your donation to reach Pat, contact me to discuss.
**Another side note: Again, Pat doesn't want to toot his own horn, or ask for help. I'm his sister, and just trying to help! He has asked me if I know anyone that could maybe loan him some money. If you can't give, but would be able to loan, please let me know as well & that information can be relayed.
Simply thank you all for all the love & support!
Organizer and beneficiary
Nicole Mullen
Organizer
Lincolnton, NC
Pat Sykes
Beneficiary