Hello, I am John Campbell. I am a courier living in Reseda in Los Angeles. I am 56 and for 20 years have been delivering various packages around Los Angeles. On August 22nd, I tripped over broken concrete on the sidewalk, fell, and broke two bones in my wrist. Today is 9/17/25 and have a cast through 10/2, then a brace as a strengthen my wrist.

I haven't been able to do many deliveries as I can't use my right hand. I have already lost $1000 in income. I expect to lose about $2000 more before I am able to return to full use of my hand. I also have medical expenses, which might be about to explode with the changes to the ACA occurring in a few days. As a 1099er, and not an actual employee, I have no benefits.

Early last year, I was able to pay my bills off at the end of each moth. Then I was diagnosed with kidney stones that needed surgery to remove. I drive my own car for work. Last year, I had to replace the air conditioner and catalytic converter within a month of each other, and then, shortly after, my engine seized while I still had a few years of payments left on the car. These, combined with no longer having money saved to pay my 2024 taxes, have brought me to nearly maxing out my credit cards. I'm paying about $800 combined in minimum payments, plus $405 for the car, $365 for insurance, $103 for my phone, plus at least $750 on gas and food, plus car repairs and other expenses. I just had to pay $120 cash for blowing a tire on my way home Thursday night. My car registration fee of $295 is due on 10/16.

My one saving grace was renting from a former co-worker and his mother. I only pay $700 for a room including utilities, which is fantastic in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, his niece moved in and is living on a living room couch. They decided she is going to stay and have given me a generous 90 day notice which expires on December 3rd. So, I also have no money to use to move. She's family. I have no argument with them. They have housed me for 6+ years.

I have put off starting this Go Fund Me until I have tried other options such as a loan and trying to get a lawyer. Apparently, they don't return calls, even when you deliver their documents. But I digress. I don't know if I can even get through this month.

I was raised with the "Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" philosophy, without realizing that that defies physics. I do not like to ask for help. But here I am. The worst is, I don't think I will be able to pay anyone back anytime soon, if at all. I want to be upfront about that.

My eternal gratitude to anyone who can help. I know many of you may want to but could use help yourselves. I get it. I've rarely been able to donate to others as well, so no guilt if you can't. Also, if anyone has an affordable room to rent and can defer or waive a security deposit, let me know.

Thank you!

John