Hi my name is Erin Hodson. As many of you may know, my baby brother Leo fell in 2009, days after his 22nd birthday leaving him a C3 incomplete quadriplegic. He is one of my closest friends.

Since 2009 Leo has been a guest speaker at several schools, transitioned his stand-up comedy routine to sit-down comedy, taught himself to draw without finger mobility, has gotten married, bought a house, has 3 beautiful children, became a teacher, moved on from teaching, and has maintained a job for the transportation department for the city of Greensboro for the past 5 years, all while confined to a wheelchair and never a diminished spirit. Somehow, he always finds the time to take a beat and share a smile.

I recently learned that Leo’s social security has been withheld because they are doing a qualifying audit simultaneously with a medical audit. This means he has not received money that he relies on combined with his wages to pay his mortgage along with all the other responsibilities life comes with. Both agencies, federal and state, are backed up while they try to confirm that Leo is in fact disabled and does qualify for social security. They confirmed that he will not receive any kind of back payment, which has caused this current crisis situation.

My hopes are that whatever anyone is willing or able to chip in, we can help Leo get back on his feet – no pun intended. All the funds raised will go to Leo so he won’t lose his house and everything he has worked so hard for. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, this is truly a humbling experience, and I haven’t even posted it yet. I feel vulnerable and hopeful that together we can really make a difference in such an amazing person’s life. All my love, Erin.