Ryan's Biggest Battle Yet
Donation protected
York University Stong Residence Life Coordinator favourites (Ryan and Matt) - need your help!
As some of you know, Ryan lives with Crohn's disease. Throughout the pandemic, the disease has worsened/accelerated due to high levels of financial and health stress. It has got to the point where Ryan has issues holding anything more than a piece of paper for an extended period of time. To make matters worse, Ryan understands that surgery is on the near horizon, where he will have a large portion of his colon removed - resulting in no longer being able to use the washroom without assistance or assisted devices and even walking becoming a challenge. This is hard enough to process as is, but now Ryan is unable to work/function due to the disease and Matt has taken the reigns of all their duties.
Matt was working two jobs before the pandemic and has only been able to find one part-time job after being let go from Stong (he has sent in over 300 job applications) - but is still unable to land something. They have got to the point where basic necessities, like food, have been put to the side in order to allow Matt to continue working (transportation) and pay for wifi/phone bill. This is extremely hard on Ryan because he needs healthy foods to manage his Crohn's, but is unable to eat them due to the higher cost. They have to pay for an additional room in their lease that they cannot get out of and nobody has been wanting to move in. To add even more insult, both of their beloved "children" (dogs) passed away within a 5 month time frame.
Times are tough for everyone, and this is another prime example. In the 20 years they have been married, they have never experienced financial challenges this bad. They have been a steady customer at food banks, switching to the cheapest option for any service, looking to find the best deal, getting provincial and federal assistance, and still are having trouble making it work.
I know these two always give much more than they ever receive and bend backwards for anyone in need. At York, they have spent 8 years supporting people - using their own money to pay for other peoples bills, feed them, clothe them, and etc. Now, we have the opportunity to repay them and thank them for the impact they have made on our life. This is where I am asking for your help!
Any amount truly helps, even if it's just $5, which could be a couple cans of soup. Even a job opportunity for Matt in the North York region or someone willing to move into an extra room at their place.
Anything helps!!
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and let's help our friends!
As some of you know, Ryan lives with Crohn's disease. Throughout the pandemic, the disease has worsened/accelerated due to high levels of financial and health stress. It has got to the point where Ryan has issues holding anything more than a piece of paper for an extended period of time. To make matters worse, Ryan understands that surgery is on the near horizon, where he will have a large portion of his colon removed - resulting in no longer being able to use the washroom without assistance or assisted devices and even walking becoming a challenge. This is hard enough to process as is, but now Ryan is unable to work/function due to the disease and Matt has taken the reigns of all their duties.
Matt was working two jobs before the pandemic and has only been able to find one part-time job after being let go from Stong (he has sent in over 300 job applications) - but is still unable to land something. They have got to the point where basic necessities, like food, have been put to the side in order to allow Matt to continue working (transportation) and pay for wifi/phone bill. This is extremely hard on Ryan because he needs healthy foods to manage his Crohn's, but is unable to eat them due to the higher cost. They have to pay for an additional room in their lease that they cannot get out of and nobody has been wanting to move in. To add even more insult, both of their beloved "children" (dogs) passed away within a 5 month time frame.
Times are tough for everyone, and this is another prime example. In the 20 years they have been married, they have never experienced financial challenges this bad. They have been a steady customer at food banks, switching to the cheapest option for any service, looking to find the best deal, getting provincial and federal assistance, and still are having trouble making it work.
I know these two always give much more than they ever receive and bend backwards for anyone in need. At York, they have spent 8 years supporting people - using their own money to pay for other peoples bills, feed them, clothe them, and etc. Now, we have the opportunity to repay them and thank them for the impact they have made on our life. This is where I am asking for your help!
Any amount truly helps, even if it's just $5, which could be a couple cans of soup. Even a job opportunity for Matt in the North York region or someone willing to move into an extra room at their place.
Anything helps!!
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and let's help our friends!
Organizer and beneficiary
Kaleb Dahlgren
Organizer
North York, ON
Matt Harris
Beneficiary