Talented Artist Needs Your Help Due To Health

I first met Trevor Wilson in Junior High. He sat in front of me in our 8th grade math class, and while we could not talk a lot in class, he impressed me right away with his quick mind, eye for detail and unique perspective on life. I often struggled with math, but Trevor was able to help me in a way that did not leave me feeling like the class dunce. I always remembered that. After I switched schools in 11th grade, we lost track of each other, but I remained grateful for having known him.

When I joined Facebook in 2009, he was one of the first people I friended. He had moved to Austin, where he was working as a commercial artist and also doing construction work. We frequently spoke on the phone and exchanged updates on our lives, which had some eerie parallels in regard to the struggles we had experienced. Both Trevor and I had found ourselves without much support as adults, but both of us had forged strong spirits.

After reconnecting, I went to Austin to visit him in 2012. He was the same loveable oddball with his unique insights, wisdom, and sense of humor. However, in the next few years, he would suffer a series of setbacks that made his future look rather bleak.

In 2015, he suffered what his doctor believed was a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). Over the coming year, his health began to deteriorate progressively, and he started losing the use of his right arm. During this time, he was working both as an artist and doing punch work (final details) for a well known home builder in the Austin area.

His boss values his talents and has continued to see that Trevor has had work, despite his limitations. This was the case until recently, when his boss was promoted and no longer oversees the same projects. With a massive reduction in his income and his disability having progressed- making it difficult to join a new team- Trevor is left with the possibility of becoming homeless.

In applying for Social Security Disability, Trevor sought an official diagnosis for his health challenges. In the process, he discovered that while his symptoms are that of a stroke, there is no neurological evidence of a stroke. Now begins the hunt for a diagnosis, which is required for him to qualify for Disability. Several illnesses could be causing his symptoms, including Lyme Disease, but a diagnosis could take some time, not to mention money.

Trevor, who also suffers from high levels of anxiety, has had to do a lot of personal growth just to survive the last decade. In so doing, he has recently concluded that he is almost certainly on the Autism Spectrum. This makes social interactions challenging, further limiting his job options.

Since he can no longer work in construction, he is selling off his tools to raise some money. He is also working to make his artwork available to purchase. He is even selling his music collection, as the situation is dire.

I am stepping up to ask you to help out with any amount you can share. Trevor is an intelligent, hard-working guy who has met many difficulties. His monthly expenses (rent, gas, food, internet, medical and credit card bills) are about $2,800. Until he is diagnosed and his disability goes into effect, he is at risk.

Thank you for your help. Let's keep Trevor off the streets!