Help George Austin Rebuild His Life

Hello, fellow Blue Jays and others. Many of you know George Austin. He could use our help as he has fallen into bad times. At this point, no amount is too small as he has nothing. His love of BMX caught up with him, his neck is fused and is in intense pain, and he still needs back and knee surgery. Lastly, his right foot has Charcot disease making it challenging for him to get around without a cane.

Below are George's words when I inquired how he was. I knew it was time to reach out as this is bigger than I can take on. For him, the amount of a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread will go a long way. See a little of the story that he shared with me:

Three years ago, I sold my paid-for house to relocate and pay off a few small debts. In the process, COVID hit. As I tried to find a place to live, it seemed to be a waste of time as I couldn't get approved for being unemployed even though I had a nice chunk of money to put down. I bought a travel trailer and lived at a campground while working at a car dealership. It was costing more to live there than I was making, so eventually, all my money ran out about the same time I suffered some nasty foot and leg injuries including cellulitis which laid me up.

While I was treating the cellulitis with a series of 10 injections, the first 9 were fine in the butt. The 10th and final injection was in my left shoulder. After receiving the shot, my arm went limp and numb with stinging fingers and next to no strength and or range of motion. While in the hospital, the lady that was taking care of my dogs called a St. Bernard rescue from Michigan and gave my dogs up when she found out I needed a few more weeks in the hospital. All of this, which I knew nothing about until I finally went back to visit them one weekend. Not good, I was heartbroken as they were my family.

The hospital sent me back to a different rehab center to help me learn to walk again, which was a struggle. Being able to walk determined if I was able to get a much-needed hip and a knee replacement. The day came I was able to schedule my hip replacement and when it was determined that I needed an ablation (heart surgery) before I could have the hip done. And then I had to wait 6 months to have the hip (or the small back fusion surgery that was to be done as well) surgery done. While waiting, COVID hit the building, and I was the final one to contract, which rescheduled the heart surgery 3 months. I am happy to say that both my heart and hip surgery were successful, but the ability to walk again has been a bigger struggle than I imagined. I have been steadily losing weight 340~250 and still losing.

Since I have been at the new facility longer than 6 months, Social Security considers me a permanent resident which means the facility gets paid by good money to have me live here and I am only allowed to receive $52.00 a month. My storage unit with everything I owned was $125.00 a month, therefore, not having the funds to cover it, I lost everything I owned and I do mean everything. A few articles of clothing, not holding up well due to my weight loss is about all I own. After a long time now, I was told I had to leave the facility. I have looked into a starter apartment. Even though I own nothing, it's a requirement to have renters insurance, gas, and money down. I am looking for money to come up with the first and last month's payments and then some, money for food, shoes, undergarments, and many other necessities. I have $2.00 in my pocket and need help. Through all of this, I have much to be grateful for.