Urgent Aid for Neal's Post-Hurricane Recovery

My name is Neal Carothers and Hurricane Beryl has turned my life upside down, but I praise God for I am alive today!

Very recently, God blessed me with a new job at an ICU near Houston, TX, and a new amazing rental home. I have been there just over a month and still am unpacking, hanging pictures, and settling in.

Last week, I had a cardiac event that landed me in the hospital for four days. I was sent home on rest orders Saturday evening; praise the Lord. Monday morning came Beryl.

While sleeping and recovering in my bed Monday, Hurricane Beryl hit me in the head and body with a large oak tree, two support beams, and part of the roof and ceiling. In addition to the physical blows, I inhaled lots of fiberglass insulation. The oak tree and associated flooding from the hurricane and damaged water heater in the attic nearly destroyed the entire back half of my home.

My bed and bedroom furniture are a loss likely along with my office, computer, spare bedroom, contents in two bathrooms, lots of clothes, artwork, and family pictures of my kids growing up to name a few without full assessment of damage due to house being unsafe at moment. There were several inches of water that everything was exposed to and sitting in from boxes to furniture to mattresses and so on. I’m praying some items will be salvageable especially my kids’ pictures.

I am physically ok despite several cuts, bruises, and knots including on my head. I praise God I am alive! Now, I face the impact of a full recovery. There is no renters insurance coverage.

My immediate needs are living arrangements, temporary for now. I’m praying the best for my permanent situation outlook. I’ll need a new bed/bedroom and more. My health is certainly a concern. Physical help to move again and storage for items in between living spots will be another issue. I need to keep working, so living arrangements are first on my list.

My mother, Camille, asked me to create this Gofundme on her request to help me; because she knows I won’t ask on my own. I did not know what goal to set so I just picked a number. I’m in unfamiliar territory with all things unknown in front of me. I am in great need unfortunately; more-so than I ever imagined in so many ways. Any help from anyone is greatly appreciated and will be put to good use. All assistance will go to my recovery on personal loss, health concerns, new living arrangements, and household goods replacements along with any unseen expenses in the coming days, weeks, and months as I rebuild my life.

Good hearted people like me always tell others, “at least you are alive.” I never knew what that statement meant to the person affected until now. If and when all seems lost, I am still alive! It still scares me to think of what could have been. What if I didn’t see my kids anymore? What if I didn’t see my family? What if couldn’t be a nurse and see my patients and work family? What if I never had the opportunity to ask for forgiveness and praise the name of our Lord?! Please let my example today be your reminder to not let the “what ifs” be your reality. I’m learning to listen and obey, please do the same. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!

Thank you all and truly, God Bless You!