I am not sure where to start. This begging for help thing is the most embarrassing thing I have ever done. I’m a very proud and private person. But, I am a disabled veteran that has fallen on temporary hard times and not sure where else to go.
I had a long message typed out explaining my situation in detail (mainly the accident that has landed me here), but I slept on it and it felt like it would be too long and would bore people, even when I tried to make it funny. So, I guess I’ll try with my shorter version.
My parents have always raised me to work hard and to save for things I want, which I have done. I started working at the age of 12 and have always had at least 1 full time job, 1 part time job and volunteered spare time to help people (fix vehicles, fix houses, job searching, career help, advice etc). I love working (yes, I know I’m strange), as it gives me a purpose to wake every day.
I was doing ok until 2019. I had semi steady contract work in my IT career, and filled the gaps with side jobs driving trucks or running machines. At the end of 2019 – beginning of 2020, that all fell apart when C-19 hit. I was in the final stages of interviews for a few full time employee (non-contracting) jobs. When C-19 really hit, all of the jobs were closed without filling the positions, and new jobs weren’t being posted. I was able to somewhat get by with other side work, but it was really tough and decisions on what bills got paid had to be made each week/month.
Come 2022, things started looking up and I was speaking with recruiters about full time jobs again. YES!! Well…. That’s when I had an accident on my motorcycle. In July I avoided hitting a deer (woohoo!). But, when I stopped, I didn’t notice where my foot was and it slid under the bike and the motorcycle fell over on me (Uh OH!). No problem, I have crash bars, right? Nope! Where I fell, my ankle is what kept the bike from hitting the ground, and I was stuck. It was dark, nobody around and I couldn’t find my phone. 3+ hours later I was able to finally kick my motorcycle off me enough to get out from under, retrieve my phone and call a friend for help. I tried to walk, twice, and that just lead to a “TIIIMBER!! Big man falling fast!”. Hahaha Turns out I crushed my ankle and tore the ligaments and tendons.
Here I am, about 9 months and 3 surgeries later learning to walk again. I was in a wheelchair with orders for no load bearing on my leg for about 6 months, and unable to work during this time. Every time I was hoping I could try again, it was time for another surgery. BUT.. I am on the rebound and things are looking up finally, at least physically.
The bright side, I handled it well and did my best to not let it get me down, which was tough. Even my friends and family were surprised at how well I dealt with not being on my motorcycle, out hiking, working on things, seeing new places/things, just being active. I’m a big believer in you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. I was able to leaf blow my yard on crutches (even with rude people driving by taking pictures of me. They should have stopped. I would have smiled and waved for the picture! Hahahaha). My driveway is 250’ long and I shoveled the snow from my wheelchair. Those storms that dropped 12” are really interesting when you’re clearing it from a seated position. I had fun though, in my own way I guess. Someone had to do it, so I made the best of it. I had to get to Dr. appointments. I suuuure do miss having a truck. I have never asked for sympathy with any of this. I treated it as a challenge in life that I can beat, and I did! Well, mostly. I’m here, so obviously some things I couldn’t do on my own.
In the end:
I am about to lose my home. The VA has done what they can to help me. My parents just don’t have the room or finances to help me anymore with them being retired and downsized. Most of my “friends” turned out to be “friends” when they needed something and disappeared when I was in need. The friends that are left aren’t in a position to help me out, and I totally understand. So, without help with my mortgage, bills and car repairs, I guess I have to figure something else out. I’ve been going through my camping stuff and looking up places as my last resort. Hey, good thing I like camping though!
I am grateful for any help with this that I can get. I will list below where I’m at with what I need. I’m sure I won’t get anywhere near what I need, but anything would be helpful. Saving my house would be AWESOME, but I’m a realist and know the likeliness of that happening is very low (we can all dream though, right?). Maybe I can get enough help to fix my car or even get a hotel here and there after the eviction notice comes. Mainly to use for the day before an interview so I can shower and clean up.
Mortgage:
Behind about $40,000 (which is the biggest kicker since I only still owe a little over $100,000 on it and I put so much of my time and money into it). Plus, renting around here is more expensive than my mortgage. Go figure..
Car:
I owe $1,750 on car or they reposes it.
Car repairs:
$900 for struts
$150 for wheelbearings
Utilities (gas, electric, sewer) I’m behind approximately $1,400
My Cash App is: $OptimisticVet