Clarence is a friend, family member, neighbor, and co-worker to so may of us. His infectious smile and booming voice have cheered everyone who knows him. He has overcome so much in his life, and become a strong, independent man who is so beloved by the many communities he is connected to.

In the early evening on Election Night, 11/8/16, he had pulled up at his Grandmother's house to cook dinner for her, as she was running a polling station that day. When he got out of his car, he was the victim of an attempted car-jacking by four assailants.

Clarence was shot in the neck. The doctors at University Medical Center saved his life. He sustained a wound to the esophagus and vocal chords. He has a dislocated shoulder and nerve damage, causing immobility of his left arm. He has had three surgeries so far.

He is out of the hospital and is getting stronger everyday. He has been fighting infections, working on eating and nutrition, and strengthening his neck. His medical team is still trying to figure out the cause of the immobility in his arm, and what can be done to reverse these affects. His prognosis is very good, but he is facing a long road to full recovery, including the prospect of more surgeries.

Clarence was uninsured and has applied for Medicaid, which hopefully will go through. In the meantime, he is struggling to pay for his medicines, and to maintain his home and car while he is unable to work. This campaign will support his ongoing medical treatment, medicines, rent and household upkeep for six months while he journeys through this recovery and can get back to taking care of himself and his family.

Your support is vital and needed! And anything you can contribute is appreciated. Visits and messages of encouragement are welcome. And if you can help in other ways, let us know. Clarence will be getting his phone back from the police soon, for those of you who want to contact him directly.

You can also contact his grandmother
Carmen at [phone redacted]

or Shana (from Pagoda) at [email redacted].