I’ve put off posting about my own needs for a while out of respect for the multiple crises here in California, and for Veteran’s Day.

I can’t continue to avoid my issues, as much as I would like to.

My goal in setting up this GoGetFunding to help my recovery was to get ahead of my needs, which has not been the case. I can only post as I go and hope for the best. I continue to need your help as I move forward with my recovery. I’m unable to work, and this remains my only source of funding.

I’m a private person, and doing this GoGetFunding campaign is difficult for me, but, having scraped by on the November rent, I have almost nothing left, and there are immediate expenses I have to deal with. I need you to ask you once again to please donate what you can, as soon as you can, and share this notice as well, ideally including this or your own introduction.

I accomplished a lot last month, backed by my donors, I was able to rescue the possessions I had in storage here in L.A., and close-out one more monthly expense. I also was able to complete the pair of my Juxtalite compression stockings, which have made a big difference in the healing of my leg wounds, even though I still need daily nurse visits to dress them. My walking (with the walker) has improved steadily, and I’m starting to climb stairs again, although it’s still difficult.

Here’s a slice of what I’m up against right now:

To start, I have a huge $548.64 electric bill, due to my oxygen concentrator and using the air conditioning this summer. I was able to buy more time, but the disconnection crunch approaches rapidly.

Beyond that, Winter is actually coming soon in L.A., and I have to be prepared. Apartments here are built to remain cool in the heat, so baby, it gets cold inside. I canceled my gas service when I was in the rest home, and never restarted it. Now, I find SoCalGas is demanding an $80 deposit to start it back up again, claiming they closed the account rather than me. I need to do this right away, since it requires a service call to restart the pilot lights.

Adding to the fun, I have to make the annual $45 payment on my Safety Deposit box in Vermont before the end of the year. I’ve got some valuables and family papers there, and I face penalty charges if they drill open the lock for lack of payment. Unfortunately, I can’t close out the account without going there in person, which I can’t do anytime soon.

I also have a $97 phone bill due on the 15th, and need to make a payment on my remaining storage area in Vermont. I also need to spend money on basic things like food and supplies not covered by my insurance, and in the near future, a new round of rent and other major costs will come around.

Obviously, I’m not the only person who needs help in this crisis-filled time, but with your aid, I can do these things, put the hours in working on my recovery, and someday dig myself out of the sad rut I’m stuck in.

Besides this GoGetFunding, you can donate by any means that you wish. Just get in touch by PM. Remember, even small donations count a lot.

Thanks for all you’ve done in the past, and I hope will do in the future.

Jim Wheelock