Help Jason recover from a hate crime

Hello, hello! My name is Jason. I’m a student, wellness coach, occasional florist and full-time goofball. I love making people smile. I love helping them feel loved, worthwhile, and worthy of every good thing the world has to offer. Whether they smile because I gave them a free plant or a bear hug, or because I shared a random, hilarious fact, my goal each day is to make as many people smile as I can.

I also happen not to be straight. Unfortunately, that simple fact doesn’t always win friends, and sometimes makes instant enemies.

— The short version of my story: In March 2023, I was the victim of a hate crime. I experienced multiple rounds of severe pesticide poisoning because someone illegally sprayed my car with federally regulated pesticides. I almost died, ended up in the ER four times, and will likely have lifelong health problems because of the poisoning.

I’m fundraising to help with the mountain of medical bills and to help me get started again after my life fell apart in the aftermath of the poisoning—

— The longer version continued:

In March 2023, someone tried to kill me at my workplace, and the likeliest motive is my sexual orientation. I wish that was an exaggeration, but it's a reality that I’m still struggling to process.

Without my knowledge, someone illegally applied pesticides to my car while it was unlocked at the greenhouse where I did student research. Not the kind of pesticides you use around your home, but the industrial kind. The kind that require a license to apply. The kind that are heavily regulated by federal law. The kind that you’re supposed to wear respirators and protective suits when handling. The kind that can maim or kill a person.

-ER visit #1, shortly before discharge

I ended up in the ER three times with severe pesticide poisoning before we realized the university greenhouse wasn’t the source of my exposure. Just before my third trip to the ER, the Department of Agriculture got test results back showing that the greenhouse wasn’t the source. As I stabilized and talked to the doctor, we narrowed in on my car as the only common factor between the cases of the poisoning. The Department of Agriculture tested my car the next week and confirmed the presence of not one, but four separate regulated pesticides that can never legally be applied to a vehicle.

The aftermath has been absolute chaos. Multiple organizations started investigations and the health impacts are still developing. Pesticides are neurotoxins and can have a wide range of short- and long-term effects. I ended up in the ER for a fourth time and have since had a slew of medical visits with multiple doctors and specialists to try and figure out the extent of the damage and to treat various problems that have occurred. My life came to a complete standstill. I wasn’t able to complete my classes. I won’t be able to complete my degree at the university. I lost my job. My research project, which was two years in the making, was destroyed by university officials a couple weeks before completion. I’ve had to learn how to live in a body riddled with nerve damage.

-the research project

Originally, I had been told workers compensation would cover the cost of my medical treatment. However, for reasons never shared with me, that proved to be false and I am faced with staggering bills from the ER visits and all of the ongoing doctors visits and tests to figure out what all is wrong and how to fix it.

I’ve tried to keep a smile on my face the whole time. Even when my joints were giving out as I walked to the bus. Even when my skin would randomly rip open and bleed. Even when I couldn’t use a fork or spoon to eat or a pen to write. I kept hoping that somehow if I kept a positive attitude, kept smiling, and did what I could, I’d find a way back to normal life.

But y’all, it turns out I survived the poisoning, but lost my life. Time has shown there are no pieces to pick up and put back together. There’s only starting over and making something new.

And I need help. As much as I don’t want to admit it.

I guess it comes down to two things. I need to address the ever increasing mound of medical bills and I need to enough stability to be able to get a job so I can provide for myself.

I’m hoping to raise $15,000 to make a big dent in the medical bills and to give me some financial stability in my life so I can move into a safe place, get a job to support myself, and then pay off the remaining medical bills. I know that’s a big number, but honestly any little bit would make a big difference for me. If you can’t donate, even sharing this with other people who could would be a big help.

Anything helps. I appreciate you taking the time to read and consider.

Thanks so much!

Jason