My name is Brandon, and I am 44 years old. Over the past five and a half years, I have survived a widowmaker heart attack, cardiac arrest, and several other serious heart events. In May 2023, I had another heart attack, and doctors found an apical thrombus. Since August, I have been unable to work and, under the advice of a disability advocate, I resigned from my job. In September, I had yet another cardiac event, which required my sixth stent. My heart’s ejection fraction is now at 30-35%. I am divorced, single, and living alone, doing my best to manage each day as it comes.

Recently, my 2006 Pilot blew a head gasket, and my bankruptcy only just cleared in July. I was shocked to receive a large medical bill on MyChart, and my lease is ending in 30 days. I am currently waiting for decisions on both SNAP and SSDI disability, but these processes take time. I have always tried to handle things on my own, but the reality is that I need help to get through this period.

I never in a million years thought I’d be in a position to ask for help, but I have no more room for pride. I have given everything to God, and maybe that’s why I am reaching out now. I created a list for SSDI, recently updated to reflect my vehicle breakdown, and I hope it helps explain my situation further. I am not asking for pity—just understanding. I own my circumstances and make no excuses. Reality is what it is, but I am not ready to quit. If you are willing and able to help, your support would mean the world to me and help me focus on my health and stability while I wait for assistance.

I tried attaching this list as a photo, but had to copy and paste.

Bad choices plus unimaginable chain of events:

June 2019: separated after 14 years of marriage. She took daughters, moved out, and filed for divorce.

Sept 2019: sold home, paid off all debt.

January 23, 2020: bought house.

March 9, 2020: widowmaker heart attack.

March 27, 2020: my dog got out and was run over.

April 22, 2020: lost my job.

September 14, 2020: 10-year-old boy died during accident passed away due to riding bike over median and hit my truck.

September 17, 2020: divorce court: Divorce final.

Still unemployed:

March 2021: finally employed.

September 6, 2022: cardiac arrest: woke up September 8.

January 5, 2023: found blood clot in apex: Apical Thrombus.

May 5 through May 7, 2023: multiple heart attacks: total now of 5 stents, with Apical thrombus.

February 2024: foreclosure process on house began.

March 1, 2024: moved into apartment

August 2024: Foreclosure complete.

September 30, 2024: health insurance expired.

October 15: Garnishments began.

December 1, 2024: filed for disability.

January 2025: filed for bankruptcy.

June 2025: disability officially denied.

July 2025: bankruptcy cleared.

July 31, 2025: Alyssa: seizures began.

After 6 days in hospital: brain scan, spinal tap:

White blotch discovered frontal right hemisphere.

Potential underdeveloped during pregnancy or low-grade tumor forming: tests ongoing: follow-up MRI in 6 months to determine if area is growing.

August 5: Alyssa released from ER.

August 7: spoke with disability advocate at UC.

August 8: resigned employment with direction from disability advocate through UC Hospital.

September 23: 80% blockage, no heart attack, but stent installed. 1st diagonal at 95%

November 12: received Medicaid card and called in prescription.

November 17: borrowed $20 from neighbor for gas and picked up meds: later that evening, 2006 Honda Pilot blew head gasket and beyond repair.

Thank you in advance for understanding that sometimes life happens and help is needed to survive.

With sincere gratitude,

Brandon Wagner