HELP SAVE MYSTIC PIERCING & TATTOO & JIMI HARRIS

I am reaching out to all of my friends, my extended Mystic family and my clients for financial help. Many of you know I am a now in a wheelchair, but most don’t know I am 72 but was told by one of my ophthalmologists that I don’t look any older than 65, I don’t think she had her contacts in. On 2-24-20, the day the state shutdown for COVID, I was admitted to have my left leg amputated from below the knee and this unfortunate surgery actually extended my life, was not as healthy as I though. Then 2 days after surgery my heart stopped for 45 seconds and did not have a near death experience as promoted. I did not see the light, meet my ancestors nor have my life flash before my eyes but did add it to my bucket list. I did see and remember the extraordinary efforts of the amazing staff of nurses and doctors at AAMC that brought me back to life. When I was stabilized on a respirator the doctors let me know I had major circulation problems though out my body but not my heart. I then had Femorofemoral bypass surgery to supply adequate inflow of blood to both legs, I also given an angiogram which showed only a minor amount of blockage in my heart but in the future might need another procedure which I had at the VA last year so I’m good again, staying positive and enjoying life.

I was released to a convalescent center in Edgewater since they had room for me. During the first 10 days I was placed in isolation to make sure I was COVID free, giving me plenty of time to reflect on some really wonderful memories of people, the shop and our events. I then started my rehabilitation to learn the skills necessary to get my life back on track. I became skilled in using a walker, wheelchair, safe transfer techniques to the toilet, shower, getting in and out of bed safely, crawling and much more. The physical therapy was daily and intense. After 6 weeks there and with lots of thanks to the staff I moved into my daughter’s and her husband’s basement. There I finished with my next levels of physical and occupational therapy. I finally was approved to drive again making myself more self-reliant in making my various appointments at the VA Hospital Baltimore, rehabilitation and prosthetic training, learning to walk again. I found I owed $97,875.29 in co-pays for AAMC and South River Convulsant Center, home rehab and medications even with medical insurance. I could not go bankrupt due to owning Mystic so I sold my home in Edgewater to pay those bills and buy a double wide mobile home in Hanover. I had it equipped for wheel chair living with my two my cats. I recently lost the vision in my left eye so I can never pierce again even if I could stand. Walking has been delayed due to breaking my left hip last year. I have been going to rehab to get strong enough to walk again with my amazing custom titanium prosthetic next month. I have had 5 bypasses in my right leg but still lost my toes on that foot but can once again use my walker to get to my car and drive. I need to pick up items for the shop curbside and take them to the shop during the week to help out, to save shipping and delivery costs, I have even become a couponer, since every penny counts. Just as the shop’s business starting increasing in January, Ben became unable to work and is now on an extended leave of absence. The piercing shop is now only opened Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That is why you may have seen my ads for a Body Piercer on our pages, please share on your Facebook for me. You have also seen where I am trying to sell the smoke shop in the front of the tattoo shop. This will make room for the jewelry displays and consolidate into one location. All costs have gone up due to the economy as we have all seen. I am asking for your help to save my business and keep from losing the assets currently in the shops. You can stop by the shop on Sunday or Monday afternoon, finding me there in the office. If you want to call, please do, I would love talking with you, sharing memories and catching up. I am able to handle cooking and cleaning inside. Thanks to my great neighbors here in Hanover and my brothers at the VFW I do have help with outside chores. Every donation no matter how small will be greatly appreciated. Please keep those positive thoughts and prayers coming. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. I appreciate you all very much, bless you and yours. Jimi – [phone redacted].