Support George's road to recovery

I'll begin with my name. A lot of you know me as George, or Jr Hawkins. My wife, Felicia, and I have 3 children together (8, 10, and 13) and live in Deer River, MN, where we bought a house in 2015. We've had our ups and downs but are still going strong.

I have always been a proud person in my adult years, proud of my family, proud of my hard work ethic, and proud of my independent nature. I guess that's why it is so hard to ask for help now, for myself. Last ten years or so my back has been worsening, poor luck on the Gene pool there lol but I still found a way to work even though and was still gearing up for my lifelong dream of having my own workshop. Then in 2023 we were shocked with news we then got from clinic. I had been having medical issues for a while but was just putting it off as more back problems causing more pain or whatever have you, possible stress related as we had just finished the final arrangements and funeral for my mother. Anyways it was indeed cancer, with a "high probability rate of survival, no risk, wont be out of work long" etc. They were able to get me in for surgery in 4 days which was great news.

Fast forward to the night after surgery and there was complications with the catheter and over the next days other complications. Now, My doctor has been fired and I was barred from contact with him, never was able to speak to him again..then after that they canceled all of my follow up appointments.

The 10 to 14 days out of work turned into almost 4 months. And it took another 8 or so months after that before I felt anything like I did before the surgery. It severely affected our life and finances.

I took it as a sign that I should just not go back to the hospital... We were financially tapped out to say the very least. And the thought of further time out of work- just wasn't possible... we would lose everything, as we didn't have anyone to help us at all during that time, which was OK because I've never relied on anyone else. I knew God would take care of us as he always has.

My wife then wanted to setup a gofundme but the thought of it was just too excruciating to my ego and pride, or so I thought, as now my sentiments have changed. This has been quite humbling.

My wife does work, and its been so hard on her, I have been watching her work so hard. It breaks my heart thinking about what she will have left in the event something does happen to myself.

Now in recent weeks the city of Deer River sent the chief of police, Judd Evans,(about 5 times now) threatening more severe tickets fines charges if I continue to work at my residence. So bad that I had my clients come get their vehicles in an unfinished state just to avoid the legal ramifications. When the last client came the chief came and harassed us for the entire time my client was here. Accusing him of being fugitive of justice and threatening me some more. I've told my story to the chief but with no change. I was just trying to keep from losing the house and everything I've ever worked for. I've always helped others when I could and was just trying to help myself.

Since then, we've been fortunate to sell most of the equipment for my future workshop and tooling. I'm ok with selling that stuff as she wouldve been burdened with the task if something happens to me.

I waited til after Christmas to ask for help as We didn't want anyone to take it the wrong way and flood the kids with presents as we had that task taken care of and didn't want to spoil them. They had a great Christmas morning.

We're on food assistance, as humbling as it is to say that, and we've lost alot of materialistic stuff but we haven't lost the house and that's why I'm asking for help, to help save that tragedy from happening to my wife and our kids. God willing, possibly enough left over to offset expenses while I look into training for a trade I can do, the option of working my trade for someone else doesn't seem realistic as I don't imagine a business putting me to work for 3 or 5 hours a day- before my back gives issues. It's a daily problem and the solution I believe is to find training for something that isn't so demanding of my physical strength

I have reached out to immediate family in desperation but as it turns out they're unable to offer any assistance.

I'm asking if you're able to please help and if you aren't able to help us financially we understand and are also asking from prayers. I know God will get us through this, and I believe this is what I'm supposed to do, as humbling as it is.

Thank you for your time if you read all of that. Also i know rumors happen, so If you've seen me around and thought I didn't look well, take rest knowing it wasn't addiction, it was cancer.

I don't know what I'm doing here but I have faith

Please, every dollar helps and your prayers do too. Thank you all and God bless,

-George

and most recently our boiler sprung a leak