Help A Disabled Veteran Fund
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Me on my power wheelchair on my new handicap ramp provided by the VA.
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PLEASE HELP ME BY DONATING NOW . YOUR GENEROUS GIFT WILL TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE.
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HELP ME WITH STARTUP COSTS FOR A BUSINESS SO I CAN SUPPORT MYSELF.
I AM A DISABLED VETERAN
I AM ASKING FOR A HAND UP.
I AM NOT LOOKING FOR A HANDOUT
I am a disabled vet who needs the help of friends
MY DESIRE TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY WAS NOT DISABLED WHEN I BECAME DISABLED.
AS A HANDICAPPED PERSON, I STILL WANT TO PROPERLY SUPPORT MY FAMILY.
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Sometimes people just need a helping hand. I need a helping hand. Will it be yours?
I have started a new company to include ITR and our other core business services.
The new company is called:
International Publishing Group, LLC™. Through our International Travel reviews Division we publish
"The International Travel Herald " an online travel magazine with over 125 topics.
I have sold everything I could, refinanced my home, and maxed out my credit cards to start this. I am doing my part. But, I have done all I can!
NOW I NEED THE HELP OF FRIENDS AND THOSE COMPASSIONATE ENOUGH TO HELP ME TO HELP MYSELF.
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MY NEEDS
All proceeds will go to the LLC to pay off all my business startup debt, and to operate the business. I receive SSD. Because of the hatred and apathy toward the disabled and the elderly, I am not permitted to earn any money at all personally. So I will pay everyone but myself as I am able to do so.
ACCESSIBLE VAN.
THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND IMMEDIATE NEED
I need funds to purchase an accessible vehicle for my transportation. I currently have no transportation and I have many doctor's appointments. I live in the country so taxis are not an option. We do not have any transportation services where I live.
Startup Costs
I need help to raise startup capital for incorporation, licensing, fees, trademarks (5), and patents (2). The are among the many other startup expenses for the business that I have been did successfully for four years as a sole proprietor. I have comprehensive information on my LinkedIn Profile .
Funding The First Two Years
Our projections are that the company will be self sustaining for all primary positions within two years. By the end of three years we should be fully finrf for all positions.
That is why we ask your help in funding the company for two years. After that we should be generating emnough income to begin hiring and paying more workers. Overall, we will employ over 100 workers and hopefully hundreds of writers.
Helping Those With Special Needs
This will not just help me. We want to hire as many special needs people that we can for all positions. We want to be know as the accessibility company. If I could, I would fill every position with those who are People With Disabilities (PWD's)
I Need Your Help!
Help me realize my dream! I can do this!
PLEASE DONATE NOW . YOUR GENEROUS GIFT WILL TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE.
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First, Allow Me To Say Thank You!
Thank you so much for reading my whole page. I know you are probably very busy, so I really appreciate you taking your valuable time to read this information. Whatsoever you can do to help will be deeply appreciated, even if only it is reading this page and praying for my needs to be met.
I just want to be respected and treated like everyone else! Will YOU be the one who helps me?
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I NEED YOUR HELP
I have been trying to do this for two years. I know I am not going to get any help or support through traditional means. So I knew the only thing I could do, was to swallow my pride, and ask others for help. I am asking for YOUR help. I need YOUR support.
I hope the information provided below helps you to better know me and the business I am trying to get started. I know this is long, but I appreciate you reading it more than you can know. I want you to know for certain that I am legitimate
God Bless You
Rick Stoneking Sr.
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I have included a great deal of information below. if you have the time and wish to know all about us and me, please continue to read my information below.
A Simple Question
I guess I should start with a simple question. Do you think a disabled person, with with more than 45 years experience, is capable of starting and running an online business?
If you believe disabled people should have the same right to pursue their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness just like everyone else, please keep reading. I Need You!
Why I Need Your Help
This is my final life's dream. I am now a disabled man. I am not a dead man. I still have hopes, dreams, talents, skills, and abilities just like you that I want to use. But, because of age and being handicapped, I am not able to get traditional startup funding. Will you help me?
Why Is This So Important to Me?
I am trying to fulfill my final life's dream to run an online publishing business, predominately for the travel industry. Is there something you feel very passionately about? Perhaps something you need to accomplish that just keeps after you like a junk yard dog?
I have a burning desire to publish an Online Travel Magazine through which I can accomplish both my personal and business goals and objectives to fully fund, incorporate, and operate my business:
International Travel Reviews: World Travel Writers And Photographers Group.
But to do so, I must raise startup capital, incorporate, get patents for the unique travel review system I have developed, and obtain proper trademarks. I have included my most basic startup expenses at the bottom of this letter. Traditional start-up companies would not help me. Will YOU?
I am well qualified with over 45 years of writing and publishing experience. See my qualifications below.
At the bottom of this page I have also provided an email address to provide you with our information sheet. Or, simply ask, and I will provide whatever information you need to feel comfortable in donating to my dream.
What I Need
I need to raise $250,000. Wow! That is a lot of money isn't it? Actually no, it is not. Most startup companies raise their startup capital in the hundreds of millions of dollars. This is a very meager amount by comparison.
Considering there are billions of people in this world, if only 250,000 people gave just one dollar, I could accomplish my goals, and realize my dream. But - I can only do it with YOUR Help.
Why Do I need this amount?
The US Government penalizes those who are disabled and receiving their "earned" disability pension. Ye, earned. It is NOT welfare. I paid into social security all my working life. It is not my fault that the thieves in congress stole over $7 Trillion dollars from our social security payments.
If people on SSD (disability) try to help ourselves, the government punishes us. For every dollar we make, we have to give back a dollar to the government. So I not only have to replace every dollar of income on a dollar for dollar basis, but I also have to replace my medical costs too! My recent outpatient surgery alone cost over $62,000, and that was just on the hospital side. It also doesn't include my other medical expenses.
Why Am I Trying To Do This?
As I noted above, this is my final life's dream. I am in the process of trying get funding for one year of Start-Up costs, and to incorporate a business that I feel very passionate about.
Why Do I Need YOU, The People, To Help Me?
I tried to get traditional startup funding for two years. As a 63-year-old disabled man, I discovered my chances of getting traditional funding to start a business is literally laughable. Yes, I have actually had people laugh in my face when sharing what I want to do. You’re disabled is usually the response (as if I was not aware of that fact). But that is because of prejudicial stereotypes that bear no resemblance to my skills and abilities. I am disabled, I am not dead. I am well qualified to continue running this business that I hve been doing for the last 2+ years. But I caan no longer do it alone. I am poised for rapid expansion and growth, but being held back because of the lack of funding.
Do you know the answers to these three questions?
Do you know what the chances are of a 63-year-old man getting startup funding for a business through traditional funding resources?
Do you know what the chances are of Disabled Man getting startup funding for a business through traditional funding resources?
Do you know what the chances are of a 63-year-old man who is also disabled getting startup funding for a business through traditional funding resources?
If you guessed ZERO, to the first two questions you would be correct. If you guessed ROTFLOL for the third question, you would also be correct.
My Story
On the morning of 26 August, 1980, I was riding my motorcycle on my way to pick up my little 7-year-old girl who had spent the night with her grandmother. Thankfully, I didn't make it, otherwise, my little girl may have died too.
An elderly woman, I think she was in her mid to late 70's, turned left in front of me at an intersection. From what I understand, I ended up on the pavement in front of my motorcycle which slammed me up under the front side of the woman’s car. She hadn't stopped fully so I ended up near the rear wheel under the muffler.
In Texas at the time, you were considered legally dead when your heart stopped. Mine had been stopped for 48 minutes! So legally, that is how long I was dead before fire rescue paramedics got me going again. The fire rescue paramedics kept up oxygen and CPR for 48 minutes! They not only brought me back, but kept me from having brain damage by giving me oxygen instead of regular breathing assistance.
I met one of the paramedics who had saved me two years later. I asked him why they had gone to such extraordinary lengths to bring me back, when normally I would have been pronounced dead. He said, because we found your badge and credentials, and just couldn't let you go. You see; I was a Federal Agent at the time. I was a Special Agent working for the USACIDC. If you have seen NCIS on TV, that is what I did on for the Army.
There has always been a special camaraderie between paramedics and Law enforcement. It is the reason I am here today. They wouldn't give up. Sadly, I was taken to the military hospital whose extraordinary failure to properly care for me, was as spectacular as the paramedics’ efforts to save me. I believe that failure is at least part of the reason for many of the medical issues I have today.
I sustained internal injuries, largely bruising of organs and a pneumothorax. But It was the spinal damage that worsened over time, that has brought me to where I am now.
Of course, the VA denied responsibility so I didn’t get VA disability compensation. Still, they have given me a small pension for care and assistance, and because of my low income level, I get free medical care when I am able to do it through the VA. That is not always the case. It is a 2.5 hour painful drive each way to go to the VA hospital
By 2003, I was officially declared disabled and received SSD. By then I needed a handicapped scooter to get around. Two years later, I needed a power wheelchair because I did not have, and could not develop, the upper arm and body strength to use a traditional wheelchair.
I was in so much pain I had to take large doses of prescription morphine just to tolerate the pain. I had developed Chronic Stage three kidney disease which I have always believed was partly the result of the accident and bruising of my kidneys.
Fast forward 10 more years to the end of December 2012, in the late middle of January, and I was in the hospital twice where I either died or was nearly dead. Some nurses said I was dead and brought back. Doctors of course deny this, but nobody denies that I was all but dead but times.
I had developed a prostate infection after a biopsy and had become dehydrated. As a result, my already compromised kidneys could not process the morphine, and my body literally overdosed itself as the morphine built up in my kidneys. My kidney function had dropped to one percent!
Fast forward to 2015. I decided I simply wanted my life back and to not be under the control of narcotics. So I began a rapid withdrawal under my doctor’s supervision. It was a good news terrible news result.
The good news: I finally stopped taking the morphine altogether on 14 Dec 2015. It had been gradual but rapid so I had serious withdrawal issues. But it was finally over. I was free of the morphine.
The bad news came as I had new CAT scans, and MRI's. That is when and I learned my spinal problems had become far worse, but they had been masked by the morphine.
I had developed severe Kyphosis, causing my shoulders and head to hang forward. I cannot even look up to change a lightbulb. I have to lay back on something to see the ceiling now, and to even see the sky. I am a photographer and stargazer, so it is very difficult for me. Imagine having to lie down to see the ceiling of your home or to gaze at the stars!
But it gets even worse. I have developed a very rare spinal disorder that is literally causing my spine to turn to stone. My spine is becoming one hard mass from top to bottom. Making matters worse, I have both canal stenosis and foraminal stenosis. This is causing a pinching of both the spinal nerve itself, and the nerves going out to the entire body.
They also discovered that the morphine had been masking serious problems with my hips. I learned that I have degenerative osteoarthritis in both hips!
I am morphine free, but I am in serious pain!
I Refuse To "Be" A Victim
Yes, I was a victim of a motorcycle accident that led to all of this. But in life, I refuse to “be” a victim. I am not a quitter. My injuries have led to over 15 other maladies, most of which are disabling in and of themselves. But, I still have a sharp mind, my IQ was rated at 152, and I am doing everything I can to be productive.
As I said in the beginning:
MY DESIRE TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY WAS NOT DISABLED WHEN I BECAME DISABLED.
But, I need YOUR help to accomplish my Final Life's Dream and provide my own support.
My Qualifications
I am very well qualified, with over 45 years of writing and publishing experience in both Christian and secular writing. My writing includes a book, a year-long daily devotional series, articles in state, national, and international publications, a column in a magazine, and much more. I encourage you to check me out by viewing my comprehensive profile on LinkedIn
and ITR On Facebook and I would like to invite you to join my Friends of ITR Page
I am very well qualified. But you you don't have to take my word for my qualifications:
Here are Independent Confirmations from Klout
Twenty-Two Expert Rankings including our core services
Klout has has awarded Rick Stoneking Sr. Owner/Founder of International Travel Reviews, Twenty-Two Expert Rankings https://klout.com/#/IntlReviews
Expert in #Travel.
Rick is among the top 0.1% of people talking about Travel. http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Expert in #Tourism.
Rick is among the top 0.1% of people talking about Tourism. http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Expert in Ecotourism. Rick is among the top 0.4% of people talking about Ecotourism http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Travel Safety and Security
Expert in #AirportSecurity
Rick is among the top 1.7 % of people talking about Airport Security http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Accessibility
Expert in #Accessibility.
Rick is among the top 0.8% of people talking about Accessibility http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Copywriting
Expert in #Copywriting.
Rick is among the top 1.4% of people talking about Copywriting http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Expert in #ContentMarketing.
Rick is among the top 1.2% of people talking about Content Marketing http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Expert in #Smartphones - Mobile Content Marketing
Rick is among the top 1.2% of people talking about #Smartphones (Mobile Marketing) http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Social Media Marketing
Expert in #SocialMediaMarketing.
Rick is among the top 1.2% of people talking about Social Marketing http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Expert in #Pinterest.
Rick is among the top 0.2% of people talking about Pinterest http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Expert in #Forbes
Rick is among the top 0.5% of people talking about #Forbes http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Expert in #Fraud
Rick is among the top 1.1% of people talking about Fraud http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Terrorism
Expert in #Terrorism
Rick is among the top 1.0% of people talking about Terrorism. http://bit.ly/21lblsL
Expert in #ISIL
Rick is among the top 0.5% of people talking about ISIL http://bit.ly/21lblsL
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My Recent Articles
Here are some of my recent articles published for LinkedIn Pulse. http://bit.ly/My_LinkedIn_Articles
Get More Information
Please request the Information Sheet about the company
Get Our Company Data and Information Sheet
It also will be very helpful if you will request our
"ITR Information Datasheet" . Simply request the information using the email addresses below .
Put Only "Send Info" in the Subject and Body Text and email to:
IntlTravelReviews #@# outlook.com
(Remove #'s)
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Now, I would like to tell you a little about myself, from a professional viewpoint, and then tell you a little about the publishing business I am trying to start. This is copied from my business documents so it is in third person.
About Rick Stoneking Sr.
My full birth name is Richard A. Stoneking.
Rick Stoneking Sr, is a medically retired disabled veteran, former minister, and a former federal agent. He is now the Founder/Owner of International Travel Reviews (ITR) - World Travel Writers And Photographers Group operated as a sole proprietorship since April 2014.
Rick has been writing in one form or another for over forty-five years, in multiple genres and in both Christian and secular circles. He has written everything from police reports to a Christian eBook, to a year-long Christian daily devotional series. Rick has published articles, and has written columns in well recognized, state and international magazines.
Because Rick himself is disabled he has become a Disability Advocate, and an advocate for Disabled Travelers.
His special niche is promoting safe and accessible travel for Disabled Travelers. He is dedicated, to helping all people, no matter their disability or accessibility needs, to find safe, affordable, exciting and accessible travel experiences. From Autistic children/adults, to wheelchair bound travelers, Rick supports safe, and accessible travel for all people.
He helps tourism businesses to capture extra revenue opportunities often overlooked from disabled travelers. Outbound disabled travel from the US alone is the most rapidly growing segment of tourism revenues. It is now a $35 billion dollar a year revenue stream and $100 billion worldwide. Rick helps tourism businesses capture their share of this rapidly growing segment by showing them why making accessibility a priority is in their best interests.
Rick's personal, goals and objectives are in line with his interests which are:
International Travel, Writing, Article Writing, Doing Travel Reviews, Historic Site Reviews, Accessibility Reviews, Disability Advocate, Accessible Travel, Web Accessibility, Documenting Historic Sites, Copywriting, Content Creation, Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking, B2B - B2C - B2E Copywriting, Travel Safety, Airline Security, Terrorism Research and Reporting, Internet Research & Web Content Curation, Digital Photography, Travel & Historic site Photography, Landscape Photography, Glamping, Camping, & RV'ing
Further, Rick has made a connection with the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) to promote Accessible Travel, Ecotourism, Sustainable Tourism, and Responsible Tourism.
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About ITR
International Travel Reviews (ITR) - World Travel Writers and Photographers Group.
ITR was founded to promote a gold standard for providing timely, top notch, world class travel intelligence with an emphasis on High Travel Safety and Travel Security Standards and to promote safe tourism worldwide.
At International Travel Reviews, our tourism focus is on increasing #SustainableTourism as a means for Economic, Social & Environmental Development. Tourism is a rising tide that lifts all boats & if properly managed benefits the entire world. Give a family a fish and they will eat for a day. Teach a family to fish and they will eat for the rest of their lives, and lift themselves from abject poverty!
We also believe that tourism should be for all people. Accessible travel and tourism is a hallmark of our company. I myself am a disabled veteran, and I am committed to accessible travel for all people.
We're not a travel agency, we are a Publishing group that focuses on small business service to promote the travel industry. Out travel division conducts Travel Reviews & Accessibility Reviews. Our company is hired by clients to increase overall tourism revenue. We also help tourism businesses increase revenue often overlooked from Disabled Travelers.
Our patent and trademark pending strategic travel review system, is designed to maximize client tourism revenues. We help tourism-related businesses get additional revenues that these companies may have overlooked.
Our core services include Publishing, Travel Writing, Copywriting, Content Creation, Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Travel Safety & Security, Terrorism information and Accessibility on Land, Air and Sea.
We do this by conducting Travel Reviews that include an accessibility review and through the use of our own online travel magazine which is pending raising the startup funds.
Please note however, that we are a Travel, Tourism, and Accessibility Review company. We are Travel Writers. We are not a travel agency. We do not book travel or tours. And we do not work as tour guides. We help tourism businesses increase tourism revenues by helping them promote and increase tourism including accessible tourism.
Our travel reviews and photography for each site will be extensive and always include an accessibility review.
Our accessibility reviews are designed to promote safe, and accessible travel for all travelers, including disabled travelers. Too many companies do not consider accessibility important. But it is a $35 billion dollar a year revenue stream from outbound American travelers alone! * and worldwide over $100 Billion dollars. We help businesses to get their share of those extra revenues by becoming accessible.
*Link to report available upon request.
My Final Comments
I believe welfare should be for those who "cannot" help themselves. However, Social Security and Veterans benefits - Are Not Welfare. They are earned benefits.
I believe being disabled should not be a death sentence. I believe disability income and medical care for the handicapped should be a civil right.
We are our brother’s keeper! But, The Bible says, if a man “will not” work, he should not eat. Being unable and unwilling are two completely different things.
Sometimes we just need a helping hand. I need a helping hand. Will it be yours?
I am trying to do my best to support the overall disabled community. Not just my niche, which is accessible travel. That is why you will also see that I am a #DisabilityAdvocate - a voluntary position
I am asking for YOUR help.
First and foremost, I need your prayers for this entire endeavor including the raising of funds to make it possible.
Here is how YOU can help me to help myself and others who are disabled.
1. By making a generous donation. For some, $5.00 may be a sacrificial gift. For others, $5000 would be like pocket change. So please give generously according to your own financial ability.
2. Consider an ongoing donation that you can include as a budget item. All proceeds beyond those needed for this project will be donated to charity so your contributions will always be helpful!
3. Share my link https://www.gofundme.com/IntlTravelReviews
and this information page with all your family, friends, loved ones and on all your social media sites. Share as often as you can, even daily if possible, but perhaps at least once a week.
4, If you are a family friendly business, perhaps you will consider being an advertiser on our website?
I have set up this GoFundMe page to receive your generous and very appreciated donations.
Your kindness and generosity is appreciated more than you could possibly imagine. I thank God for you and for your support from the depths of my soul.
Hebrews 6:10
I NEED A HELPING HAND - NOT A HAND OUT
Basic Startup Expenses
Initial Startup costs
Incorporation - Attorney fees for complex incorporation
Licensing, & Fees
Trademarks (2)
Patents (1)
Two Years Of Operating Expenses
One Full Time Salary for Managing Editor (Not Me)
Two Part-Time Salaries
Initial Office Expenses
Business Laptop
Camera Suitable for Travel Photography
ADA approved Renovations for Home Office
Accessible Office Furniture and Equipment
Phone System
Smart Phone
Office Supplies
Global Online Presence
Website Development Costs
Yearly Hosting
Software and Apps
*** Credit Card Debt for initial Startup Equipment and Supplies Includes Training Camera Equipment, Camera Supplies, Training programs, expendables etc. for US and Philippine locations = additional $25,000 beyond the initial $25,000 for basic costs.
* Images courtesy of Pixabay.com
** Handicapped Placard Courtesy of http://www.wpclipart.com/signs_symbol/handicap/wheelchair/disabled_sign.png.html
Organizer
Rick Stoneking Sr.
Organizer
Inverness, FL