Providing Healing for James Bees. Demanding Justice for ALL!

I have been reluctant to speak out about this crisis because of shame and embarrassment. But I have come to realize this is about much much more than my little life. And that change will only come through collective action!!!!!!

I suspect a wide spectrum of perceptions exist about my personal character and reputation. But those closest to me have described me having "a heart of gold" and if you have spent time with me you know I am incredibly passionate about integrity, my convictions, and the supremacy of love and meaningfulness in living a full life.

TL;DR (full story below): I have lost permanent function of my dominant hand due to institutional neglect: (photos above if you scroll CW: some photos are graphic)

over 20 men have died of treatable, preventable illness in the last 18 months in VTDOC custody. I was truly almost # 21- the doctors said I was within hours of death. Luckily I made it out. I'm demanding accountability from the justice system and compensation for harm done. It is unconscionable that the state permits DEATH as a consequence for people who have not even been convicted of a crime. It only continues because the ones dying are the most powerless and disenfranchised members of our community. But they are fathers, and brothers, and sons, and coworkers, and they should still be alive today.

Your donations would be utilized to help James secure legal representation for two different suits: personal injury for my hand (and heart ❤️ ) and a civil-rights lawsuit that will demand the right to life-saving medical care in state institutions. The injury case should be a slam dunk, but it would blow your mind how reluctant law firms are to gamble on going after the state for someone like me (us!l)

Additionally, I am nearly destitute from the cost of living and having been out of work since this accident. I have had to put off critical medical treatment / physical therapy due to health and travel constraints.

The $8,000 goal accounts for:

$3,000 to retain legal counsel

$1,000 to re-engage with physical therapy/yoga

$3,600 to secure housing/rent for 3 months

$400- fuel, food, incidentals.

I recognize that this is a hard time for everybody and many of us are carrying heavy crosses. Any generosity you can afford that will help me survive to thrive is an immense blessing.

**Some people have reached out about gofundme's fees** if for some reason you have a preference you can cash app or Venmo me

VEN- @James-Bees

Cash- $JemsBees

Any donations beyond the 8K I will donate a 200% match to https://www.themarshallproject.org/

and the Vermont https://www.acluvt.org/ when I win my injury case.

OKAY.......................................................

In December '24 I had an unexpected mental health crisis out in the community: I have never once been violent or purposely disruptive to anyone during these episodes. I just get extremely confused, disoriented, and .....well picture a guy with tourette's (no profanity ) and a really bad cough/cold asking for help, trying to get a cab ride home despite a dead phone battery. It's really embarrassing and confusing to people but it's never dangerous.And so Historically, in my home of Burlington Vermont, we have an MH outreach team that know me and will come and simply either guide me home or get me to the hospital if needed (Thank You Howard Center). If you know me you know I have worked incredibly hard over the last decade on my recovery and mental well-being in myriad ways with great success but I nevertheless occasionally have a setback. I'm incredibly grateful to all the friends and family and comrades who have witnessed my struggles and nevertheless kept the faith.

This time however I was visiting family and had an episode in downtown Bennington Vermont. On three separate occasions the police came, asked me what was wrong and I explained. I asked if they could please help me call a cab to go home. Their response was "you better figure it out". The fourth time they came and arrested me for disorderly conduct, and Incredulously, I wound up locked up in jail for 12 days before I was allowed to contact family and get out. My bail was only $1,000, which I more than had, but they wouldn't let me make a call. It ain't like the movies!!!!

Marble valley regional correctional facility in Rutland Vermont is overpopulated by almost 75%, and only 66% staffed. I was forced to sleep on the floor, with five men, in a cell built for two, leaving only once in an entire week to take a shower. I was not given any of my critical medications for the first 4 days (not just psych meds: I have dangerous physical conditions as well). But worst of all, a small centimeter long cut on my hand started to become visibly infected day 2. I showed it to medical staff on the very first night but they would not provide materials for wound care. We were denied soap or sanitizer, having to eat with our hands and share that cell. As time went on the wound became worse and worse and I showed it to medical staff, filling out sick slip after sick slip. I was never allowed to see a doctor or given antibiotics. It was oozing yellow goo more and more each day. As a biology teacher and an experienced healthcare worker I knew that I was in bad shape, but I couldn't have guessed how bad. (As a side note there were serious infections like mine all over facility. I saw men wearing latex gloves to play chess, to eat meals.....Bleaching the shower before AND after each shower. I thought there was just a lot of OCD in the place, I've never been in jail.I figured it out.) BUT SOMEHOW the administration and the health contractors didn't care to do anything about this conspicuously lethal harm.

Shortly after release (endless thanks to my father) I went to the emergency room where they immediately admitted me. I had developed severe blood sepsis as well as a massive soft tissue infection in both hands. There were four separate organisms infecting my blood including MRSA. If I hadn't gone to the hospital exactly when I did, it's likely I would have died from septic shock within hours.

After 6 weeks of IV antibiotics in the hospital they were able to save my life but not my hand. At this point it's just my middle and ring finger. Being a drummer since I was 6 years old, a delta blues finger style guitar player, a teacher, and a prolific letter writer, what is a comparatively small loss has irrevocably harmed my life. I am an ongoing MRSA carrier now and I'm creating this GoFundMe during an additional six week hospital stay. If I can do a lot of physical therapy I can rebuild some functionality and strength but my hand will never be the same. It has radically affected my concept of self, not being able to play piano or guitar, not being able to open a jar having been the go-to jar opener type in the past. I know it will get better but for now has been incredibly upsetting. I do recognize my part in this issue coming to be, but unlike many other events, this time the problem is not me....

If you've read this far, I thank and applaud you. If you ask James Bees what time it is, he's going to end up giving you the history of watchmaking. Sorry that's just how I am. Despite such a traumatic experience I am doing well broadly speaking. And there's a lot to look forward to. Bringing Justice and reconciliation for this reprehensible system of willful neglect and injury is a responsibility I was born for. Thank you for your support. I will make an update video as the campaign moves along.

If anyone wants to discuss this with me personally I welcome phone calls (802.503.2056) or messages

If you have a desire to get involved in one shape or another, or wisdom to impart on how to succeed with this journey I welcome that as well)