Helping Calvin Stockam

Have you ever met someone who’s life’s story makes you hold your own life’s story around you like a warm sweater, no matter the challenges you have navigated? That person for me is Calvin Stockam. This man has the kindest, most giving bruised heart I have ever come to know.

Calvin is an accomplished contractor, finish carpenter and can fix most anything. I know this first hand from the many jobs he has done for me and various friends and acquaintances in Bozeman. Calvin is also a Veteran.

From various accidents and injuries during his 64 years his body has had a lot to say to him as he worked, creating a divide with what he felt he could do and then actually accomplish. Ultimately it became impossible to work and supplement the typically meager VA disability check he receives.

In 2021 the VA finally recognized his need for the knee replacement he had been requesting for many years. The medical requirements for the surgery resulted in having his teeth removed, a direct result of not being able to afford dental care (common with Vets). Because the VA hospital is in Helena, he moved into housing away from his support group in Bozeman to be able to go to the only facility the VA would recognize.

In December his knee was replaced and he can walk again. Things were looking up. Calvin was close to being able to fund dentures the VA didn’t fully cover. He found an apprentice who wanted to learn to do decorative tile who would help him ease back into working. Most importantly, he could walk without the pain he was accustomed to.

Then his car died. It is currently repaired and waiting for the $2000 bill to be paid. On a newly replaced knee he has been walking to Dr. appointments and to get what he needs to live. I could get on a mighty big soapbox about how our Veterans are treated once they are no longer in active duty for our country. Being privy to Calvin’s financial challenges, what he is paid and then what he is expected to cover on that small amount is astonishing. Yet, he and his dog Jezabel have survived…thrived? Not possible, except in his heart. There he would argue he has thrived, because he is Calvin.

January 18th he was to go for an outpatient procedure on his bladder to crush a stone and remove a small tumor. Then we lost contact with him only to discover his phone was broken and he had no way to contact us. A week later, he made a call from his neighbor’s phone sharing the news that his bladder is cancerous and needs to be removed.

Enough is enough! THis GoFundMe is to assist Calvin in being able to meet this new challenge with a vehicle, insurance (both car and the medicare supplement he is required to pay) and the ability to purchase what he needs to thrive. His list of necessities will be long, more than his disability check will cover. Please know any amount you can offer is a huge help and will be greatly appreciated by Calvin. He is a man who is an accomplished “Giver”, as a result becoming a “Receiver” is a work in progress. He would humbly say to you, “Thank you, God Bless You”.