Hello, My name is Michael Flaminio; I'm 54 years old, never married, and live alone. I have worked in hotels and restaurants since I was 19, including, The Sheraton, The Hilton, Red Lobster, and Applebees in Gresham, Oregon, where I have been a waiter for the last 12 years.

On September 5th, 2021, I was the victim of a stroke. I have been waiting for disability to process ever since. And as a result, I have exhausted my savings and am unable to pay my rent or bills, and facing eviction. At this time, I am unable to go back to work due to pain and fatigue in my legs. I ask for assistance in this most crucial time in my life. I'm desperate and scared. Please help if you are able.

At the onset of my stroke, my whole body became overheated like fire, and I was dizzy, falling down several times in my apartment before being rushed by ambulance to the ER. I can still hear the medical technician telling the driver, " Hurry it up, I'm not sure what we've got here." My blood pressure was 220/180, and I could not swallow. Two days later, I was given an MRI exam and discovered I had suffered a left-side ischemic stroke. I still had not swallowed and was unable to eat or drink. After trying desperately for 5 days, with the care and guidance of the doctors, nurses and speech therapists, and for the first time since my stroke, I gulped and swallowed. Then I cried. I had hope, at last.

I wasn't out of the woods yet, but I was finally headed in the right direction. Before I was discharged from the hospital, they inserted a PEG tube, allowing me to tube feed while I was conditioning my throat. I still had right-side numbness, weak gripping strength, and difficulty walking. I was also diagnosed with "Barrets Esophagus," making me more susceptible to cancer, "Duodentis," "Gastitus," and a "Hiatal Hernia." These conditions still exist today, preventing me from resuming my duties. I have made good progress, and I hope that I will be closer to 100% and back at work in another year. From what I have seen, heard and read, a 100% recovery is possible if given time. Unfortunately, I am out of time.

This dollar figure will let me pay rent and bills for 3 months, ensuring that I'm home from Christmas till my 55th birthday on the 27th of February. My lawyers have told me that my disability claim could process any day. As I have mentioned, I'm out of days.

Please help if you can. Any amount will be forever appreciated. Thank you. -Michael Flaminio