Support James Brown's Journey to Recovery

Hi, this is my husband James Brown. He is better known as Chief from the HHS Go Wild Cats! He was a teacher for The City of Hammond for over thirty years. He retired in 2012, a year earlier than he wanted to, but they forced him out after all his years of dedicating his life to the School City of Hammond. He was forced to retire a year early before reaching the ripe age for Social Security to kick in for medical benefits, MEDICARE. For a full year, he had to pay out-of-pocket expenses for himself and me of $1800 a month for medical insurance. James Brown is the kindest person I have ever met in my life. If you have been blessed to encounter him in your passing, then you can testify that I’m telling the truth. Mr. Brown/Coach/now Chief is known by hundreds of people. He was the best supportive teacher/coach. So, I have been told by many how he was a great influence and instructor, one who molded life for the good and just a great person in their life. He helped so many, even students as they went on to college. He also held many keys to the city of Gary as a carpenter that many people trusted him with the key to their home. He was always busy, from school being a teacher through the day and coach after school, and then late evening a carpenter by night. I don’t know if 'busy' is the right word to best describe him; however, he always told me it wasn’t work to him because he enjoyed doing what he did. He was a jack of all trades and master of many. I could go on and on about Mr. Brown/Chief's character, but I’ll stop here. I just wanted to give you a little introduction.

In 2018, James had some medical issues that caused him to become an amputee. However, that didn’t stop him. Before they took him into surgery, I saw his eyes wandering, looking all over the ceiling. I asked him what he was thinking about, and he told me he was thinking about how he was going to make himself a leg. Smh ‍♀️ lol.

He taught himself how to drive with one leg. He never gave up. He would put his leg on to walk out to get into his truck. He would take his leg off to drive. He would put his leg back on to get out of the truck if he needed gas or whatever. The next task would be to do the job. This was like every day! I’ve never seen anybody so determined in my life. James will be 77 this year in July.

He kept it moving. Late fall of 2024, things really slowed down for James with the carpentry jobs that always kept him moving. For about three months, he didn’t have any work. He was just relaxing, thinking that he would just take it easy until things picked up again when the weather broke. He didn’t go out to drive. He just didn’t go out. He was just waiting for the next phone call for the next job, not realizing that he wasn’t getting any exercise as he did as a daily routine. By January 1, 2025, I convinced him to get out of the house for a change. It was New Year's Eve, and we were going over to my sister's house to celebrate and play cards. James loves to play cards! He had been sitting for three months, not doing anything. It was then, when it was time for him to get into the car, surprisingly to him or myself, that we realized he didn’t have the strength to stand or walk. Since then, James has been in the hospital twice and to rehab twice, trying to regain his strength.

I’ve taken him out of both for the lack of care. What was I supposed to do? I did what I felt was best for him. It’s really difficult doing it at home. It’s a lot of work and wear and tear on me. I think he deserves the best care that he can possibly get for the remainder of his life. I’m still believing, having faith in God, that he will heal him with full recovery, with his strength back to be able to walk and be self-sufficient. He’s a fighter! So, if he has touched your life in any kind of a special way, well, here is a way you can give back to a MAN OF DIGNITY. PLEASE support this GoFundMe page for equipment to help him be able to stand and be lifted.

THANK YOU, and I appreciate you all in advance. Please keep us in your righteous prayers. ❤️ CHIEF!!!