Jan 26, 2016 at 11:48 am

Used car and Bills due health and family.

Update posted by Brian Tolbert

Before my heart became as weak as it is, and my Arthritis, and Carpal tunnel were so bad, I was a Full Time Artist, and Designer. I did 22 Art shows and events a year, designed advertising, and had a remodeling business. In 2002 after my second of 6 heart attacks, A triple bypass in 2007, and a stroke in 2011. I lost a job working as a Graphic Designer for a firm after the second one. I'm on 18 heart, diabetes, blood pressure, and now water medications to take pressure off my heart. I did Art while I still could until I couldn't hold a brush anymore, and nothing like I did before being stricken, as I went from painting large numbers of pieces down to 1-2 a year, as I don't have the control I once had. I lost the remodeling business between my first and second heart attack, after a client from oversea's refused to pay for electrical and plumbing upgrades required to complete the project due variances and ordinances I told him would be required from the beginning. ($8000), It affected my family, and I greatly, and led to a divorce in the end, she's 8 years younger, and didn't want to be married to someone in a wheelchair or wind up in one, she made that clear, I couldn't blame her, or be mad over it. Since 2003 I've been through problems with a Disability insurance company, that reduced my amount to $300 a month, and Social Security reducing my income $500/ month this last year. After bills, (without paying all of them, just the survival one's and a few small one's since), I live off $140/ month. I gave up my car when I couldn't afford to fix it, if I could get rid of the bills and had some money for a car I could afford it again. Not having one has created problems between my kids and I, since I can't pick them up and do things, as I did almost everyday, even when only a few hours. It's stressing us out, and created communication issues we didn't have before, at a time when my health is failing faster. They're young, 16, and 19. I don't want them to feel guilty for not having much quality time like I have throughout life, as my Mom and Dad fought constantly, and after they divorced I only saw my Dad about 9 times a year before he died. I was 15 when that happened, he was 37. I've been given 6 months to a year, as I've developed type II Chronic Kidney failure since January on top of things, and have been hospitalized with heart failure 9 times since August, on top of all else. I need help so I can leave this place without bills, and to have time with my kids that's meaningful before I go.

Back to campaign page