I need the help of my friends and perhaps even the kindness of strangers to weather the approaching financial storm of increased healthcare premiums and rapidly rising costs of living on the horizon.

This is my situation: At age 20, my MD informed me that with my Type I Diabetes, I might expect 30 more years of good health – a life that would become more complicated in my 50s. That significant diagnosis influenced me to choose a more adventurous freelancing path than I might otherwise have taken. As an architect I have worked on residential, commercial and institutional projects: including houses & artist studios; libraries & university buildings; the FDR Memorial and a cultural resources expedition to Alaska (for the National Park Service). My work has been very rewarding, though not consistently financially sustainable.

In 2003, I chose more conventional employment in the Office of the Architect at UC Davis, with the expectation of a long-term benefit that would result in a comfortable pension. When UC experienced the financial crash crisis in 2009, I (along with many newer employees) was laid off prior to my vesting in the retirement benefit. My 401K account was also wiped out. I have subsequently worked on many interesting architectural and graphic design projects, including sustainable housing for farm workers and rebuilding hospitals and schools in Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2010, but those are also gone now. In retirement, I am now working on developing an accessory device to aid users of the OmniPod 5 Insulin Pump with the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor.

I had planned to work for the remainder of my life in order to supplement my meager Social Security benefits. However, my compromised health has rendered me less able to work regularly. My Social Security benefits don’t come close to supporting the financial demands of monthly living costs and my medical insurance costs, which are now escalating to astronomical levels.

To this end, I am biting the bullet & swallowing my pride to start a fund that will help me with my monthly healthcare and living costs. This GoFundMe campaign aspires to gain donor pledges that cumulatively commit to $3,000 each and every month. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Thank you for your attention in considering my request.

Best Regards,

jAs.