
Support Renaldo's Recovery
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All these hardships have shaped him into the compassionate, resilient, loving person that he is. Through personal grit and his Faith, Ray has risen to meet these challenges to show other people that you can keep fighting, that God has a plan for your life. Ray dreams of using his personal story and his passion for ballroom dancing to inspire others to boldy live each day of their lives, but even the most shining people in our lives experience darkness….
Earlier this spring, Ray was dealt more blows: his chronic neck and back pain were getting worse, he lost 20 pounds, and he was struggling to get answers to his chronic GI problem. Many doctor visits and medical tests left him frustrated and run down. In May, he had to resign from his job because he ran out of sick leave. He felt like he was running out of options.
Over Memorial Day weekend, Ray suffered from depression and was hospitalized at Vanderbilt. After spending 4 days in treatment and starting an antidepressant, he felt like he was ready to leave the hospital and start recovery. But he wasn’t out of the darkness yet. In early June, he tried to commit suicide by overdosing on his antidepressants. By this time, the insurance benefits from his job had expired and he was uninsured. Thus, the trip to St. Thomas hospital’s emergency room alone cost him over $13,000.
But in the midst of his darkness, Ray found light from God. He has found the strength and hope to keep living and dancing despite life’s challenges, and he wants to support others who are suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. Ray plans to use his experiences to advocate for better mental healthcare in our hospitals and communities, but he needs OUR help.
Without health insurance or the energy to work full-time, medical bills from his hospitalizations and treatments are accumulating quickly. Since driving for Lyft is his only source of income for right now, he also needs help to make his monthly car payment and to meet daily expenses. These pressures are weighing on his mind and adding more stress to his recovery.
Let’s come together to show Ray that he doesn’t have to fight this recovery battle alone. Please consider donating $5, $10, or $20, the cost of a Starbucks coffee or a meal out, to help Ray get back on his feet. Thank you.
Fundraising team: Team Ray (3)
Cara Schornak
Organizer
Nashville, TN
Renaldo Gomes
Beneficiary
Heather Bumbalough
Team member
Amanda Leigh Hallman
Team member