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Jeff Pattison needs your Help
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My name is Jeff Pattison .
My Story -- I was the primary caregiver for both my parents for the last 5 years of their lives . They were both in their 80's and needed my assistance in tending to their day to day needs . This became a full time job for Me and a personal responsibility as their health declined substantially over time . Empathy and Patience was Paramount . In the end it literally took up all of my energies . However it was a full time job without any financial compensation . Honestly I did not care about "money" because these were my parents and I loved them dearly and more importantly they needed me in their time of need and it was the right thing to do ... but later I would discover that not receiving an income would significantly affect my future once that had passed . Both of my parents died last year within months of each other . My father's passing was a result of kidney failure due to his diabetes and my mother to stage 4 lung cancer . Worth mentioning is that during this time I , too , was beginning to experience certain health symptoms : blurry vision , constant urination and pain in my legs and feet and noticeable weight loss . But I simply chalked it up as a sign of getting "older" . But while getting older is obviously a factor and something we all go through , my condition as it turns out was much more significant than simply "aging" . As fate would have it , it was confirmed that I had inherited many of my father's ailments ... primarily diabetes and kidney issues . Subsequently I have been suffering from many health related problems to include extreme neuropathy and well as severe deterioration in my eyesight . To put things into perspective , I did not have money or a job after my parent's passing and I had no health insurance to cover the costs of my medical concerns ... not even $ to cover the cost of my initial visit to the doctor to determine what was wrong with me . Nor did I have money for blood tests or chest x-rays or medicine ... and without insurance all costs were unfortunately out of pocket . Upon receiving the results of my blood test it was determined I had a blood sugar reading of 525 and an AIC of 13 . Now for those of you who understand what these "numbers" mean , you are aware these numbers are dangerously off the chart . In so many ways I was lucky to be alive . In addition to these readings , the deterioration in my eyes left me more or less unable to perform a number of day to day functions . Primarily a life altering setback was "not" being able to drive . The doctor's determined that i was legally "blind" and this lack of vision took over a year of my life and was a hindrance to doing anything productive . As a result , it made no sense to keep my car and keep making payments and maintain insurance on a car I could not drive . Not being able to drive or see made it difficult to find employment . Not being able to find employment has made it difficult to make ends meet .
It became paramount that I do whatever it took to address my eyesight . And , through perseverance , I was able to address my impairment and had 2 major surgeries on my eyes ten weeks ago . These two surgeries were the primary components and one of a variety of reasons I began a GoFundMe account last year and had I not done so I would not be able to see today nor would I be able to type these words . I am indebted to those who extended their support and I truly appreciate those gestures of kindness as I am eternally grateful .
Bringing my situation to Present ...
Getting my vision to function once again was one of many obstacles . It has been an eye opening experience for me both literally and figuratively and I am trying to adjust to so many challenges . In all sincerity , I am trying my best to rise to the occasion and do what I can to address these matters one by one . In the interim of my parents passing and these health concerns I have built up a substantial catalog of indebtedness . Some of these items I have discussed here openly and others I "inherited" but I am going to keep those matters private out of respect for others . I am isolated from assistance because my home is far from local friends . At my age it is extremely difficult to impose yourself on others ( especially friends ) and often I have to reply upon the kindness of strangers in my own neighborhood . I still have no car and I am seeking employment and the closest means of public transportation is 55 minutes away on foot . Consequently , I have not been to the store and I have not eaten for over a week and I am quickly running out of vital medications ( to include Insulin ) . As logic and timing would dictate I am also at the point to which all of my utilities are delinquent and are going to be shut off . There are many things I can go without -- I can go without heat in winter and I can go without air conditioning in summer . I don't require fancy clothes and I don't need a beach house in the Bahamas . But "water" is a necessity and "eating" is a necessity and "medications" have become my primary necessity as they are what is keeping me alive and unfortunately diabetes is an expensive disease to treat if your condition is extensive . I am already beginning to experience a relapse in some of my symptoms regarding neurapathy and the extensive "pain" associated when medicine is not taken .
Furthermore , it has also been determined that I have a hiatal hernia that went undiagnosed long enough to require another surgery . If left untreated it can develop into esophageal adenocarcinoma ( cancer ) or a paraesophageal hernia which can require emergency attention .
As the caregiver for my parents I was committed to assisting them in their needs and as their conditions worsened over time I did what was necessary to provide the loving care they deserved and that was a good thing .
However , while tending to their needs I was neglecting my own and that was a bad thing .
Ultimately , I have inherited a variety of health issues resulting into medication concerns and residential indebtedness and along with so many other factors the surgery is a necessary procedure and yet I simply can not afford .
This ...
And all the above is why I have started this Fundraiser .
Understand I recognize that times are tough and that I am not unique and that many of us are struggling right now . I do not have any unrealistic expectations that everyone out there is going to be able to support me in my cause . But I promise that I would not be utilizing this forum if my situation did not warrant action and an immediate resolution .
It is humbling to ask friends for assistance or anyone for that matter and nobody wants to be in a situation where they must let down their guard and swallow their pride and reach out to another and say I Need Help !!
However here I firmly Stand and I am asking for a Hand Up from those of you who can Assist .
Any offering is quite Important to Me . It is Welcome and Appreciated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you ALL .
Organizer
Jeff Pattison
Organizer
Shalimar, FL