Bucket List: Terminally Ill Disabled Veteran

Let’s start off by asking if you are Jim B, hit that back button or exit this window, because all these kind folk want to surprise you and your family, and you’re going to spoil that it if you continue….

In short, we’re looking to cross off a couple of bucket list items for an incredible person and know that your donation will mean the world to him, his family, and many other veterans for years to come. For the rest of you that have read this far, thanks for staying with us. I can guarantee I’ll be shedding a tear as I write this. Who this GoFundMe is for has made such a positive impact in my life as well as everyone he encounters. Jim is a proud father of 3, with his youngest being 2-year-old Ginny. He’s devoted his life to helping others, from his time as a medic in the service to the years of selfless work he has done for nonprofits afterwards, Jim has always put others first and continues to do so each day.

A little back story on Jim. I had the luck of meeting Jim, and of course his trusty sidekick Tank the service dog, at an annual car rally benefiting Mission22 back in 2019 or so. Jim was working for Mission22 as an outreach coordinator to help fight veteran suicide. A cause that he is very passionate about. As with everyone I introduce him to, Jim easily won me over with his kindness and generosity and in return got a friend for life, or as he would put it – ‘chosen family’. As we can all relate, family does things we don’t want sometimes, much like this fundraiser. Jim never enjoys the spotlight or being the center of attention and I know being the recipient of such a gift as I’m hoping we can give to him, will be an uncomfortable experience as he’s usually on the other side of such things.

We just passed the 2-year mark of Jim’s lung cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, the cancer spread to his esophagus a while ago and as he just heard last month has now spread to two spots on his brain stem as well. With Jim’s heart condition, he is limited to trials of medications with the hope that it will help him stay here longer, for all who love him. Jim and his wife Meghan, continue to have a positive outlook every day. We’re now approaching 2 months past the original timeline doctors gave him. Jim continues to live life with a purpose and is always looking for his next adventure. With such limited options for treatment and already passing the initial deadline, I’m hoping that we can help make the best of what time he does have left for him and his family by helping him cross off some things off his bucket list.

Jim mentioned to me the other day that one of the things he misses most is being able to get up in the morning and just ride. As a motorcycle enthusiast myself, I could instantly relate. Motorcycles were one of the best escapes for me just to clear my mind of everything I had going on and enjoy my environment without thinking about anything more than the ride ahead. A mutual friend of ours was kind enough to let Jim borrow his Polaris Slingshot (a 3 wheeled motorcycle with a windscreen) to attend a charity ride last year. One of the best benefits of the design of the Slingshot, was that Tank could still perform his duties and notify Jim if he were about to have an episode effecting his heart, allowing Jim to take the necessary preventative measures.

The main goal of this fundraiser, we would like to purchase a used Polaris Slingshot to give to Jim. This gift will allow him to fill a void he’s had for quite some time. It will allow him to participate in many more charity rides ahead, and to continue his efforts to help other veterans in need. We have an aggressive goal to give this gift in time for a We Ride So They Fly charity event of June 24th, 2023 which is raising funds for Honor Flight New England to cover the expenses for veterans to visit DC and reflect at their memorials.

In the event of Jim’s passing, this Slingshot will be donated from veteran to veteran for others to enjoy the same thrill of riding again for years and years to come.

As a second goal for this fundraiser, we’d also love to be able to send Jim and his family to Disney World for him to experience the joy on Ginny’s face when she sees her hero Minnie Mouse, or as she calls her “Mimmie”, for the first time. We know realistically the clock is ticking, and Ginny may never be able to experience a trip as magical as Disney and seeing Mimmie with her dad. I know giving them this gift will give Ginny a lifetime of memories with her father to always look back on and to talk about for generations hopefully.

In closing, I just wanted to share with you a short story of Jim that I think reflects his character so well. Jim met me at a car show this past summer on a brutally hot and humid day. He showed up late and I asked if everything was alright. He told me that he had pulled over to help a stranger with a flat tire on the highway. Despite the cancer and his heart condition that made him so susceptible to the humidity, he put this stranger in need first. When I asked why, he told me that if he goes tomorrow, he wants everyone to remember him for a positive experience and willingness to always help others in need.

Well, I stayed true to my promise and definitely shed a tear or more writing this out. I know it will mean the world to Jim and his family, and for every other veteran that gets to ride that Slingshot down the line. Who knows, maybe if you get a flat on the highway, they might be the one to pull over and help you out as Jim would. Thank you for reading this to the end and please consider donating even the smallest amount you can spare. Every share will bring us closer to our goal.

To satisfy GofundMe's requirements: All funds raised will be distributed to me and used to purchase a Polaris Slingshot and a trip to Disney World, both of which will be given directly to the family after their purchase.

Jim Behen is a 'chosen family' as mentioned above. He is a lifelong family friend.