Veteran In a hole. I need a shovel

I little back story on how we got here.

I served as a 90 Gunner with B Co 2/75 (Ranger) from 88-90, Including the Combat Jump into Panama during Operation Just Cause.

For the past 12 years, I have been a Nationally Board Certified Hearing Specialist (BC-HIS).

In 2010, My wife and I had the opportunity to purchase 4 hearing aid stores of our own from my former boss. We double sales every year for the first 3 years. Year 4 was flat, but still good. In June of 2015 things slowed way down, and the summer time is our slow season.

We spoke with the manufacturer and they told us to do whatever it took to get thru the summer, and they would "hook us up" when season came around (september). Boy, did they ever...

We maxed out every line of credit and credit card to keep the lights on and payroll coverd. But we managed.
In late August, we were about to break into season, and I needed a "breather", so I headed up to the Appalacian Trail for a 2 week walk (already had all the gear I needed, so it would only cost a couple hundered bucks).

2 days into my walk,  my wife has a stroke back home, so I walked back out and rushed home. It's a sensory stroke and affects the left side of the body.

In September, the manufacturer informed us that they were NOT renewing our dealer agreement, and they were going to take over our stores! As of mid September, they assumed all the liabilities and all of the profit. (Right when season started hitting...Imagine that?)

Finally, by the end of December, after dozens of back and forths, we were completely wiped out (financially, emotionally and mentally...) and signed the agreement.

They bought the business for what we owed, plus $8000. A big loss. But, we no longer had any options.

It's amazing how a huge company that you have served to standard and then some for over 12 years, will beat you into submission.

We had depleted our nest egg and savings just trying to exist to our "season", and still had bills to pay...

We cashed in our small retirement accounts, and have been living on that since. And now...it's all gone.

I have several opportunities on the horizon, but we need to actually make it til then (just a couple months).

My wife can no longer stand or sit for long perionds of time, nor can she lift the 50lb min required to be employable. We have started the disability process, but it can take a long, long time. Time we just dont have.

I am humbly and reluctantly starting this go fund me page in the hopes that we can carry thru the next several weeks and get back on our feet.

All the money will be used for our basic necessities:
Mortgage/utilities
car payments and insurance
food for us and our two dogs

We have always been the ones that helped others.
At the Veterinarians office, our file is market "Angel", when someone comes in and cant afford meds, or proceedures, or they need to put down a sick dog...they call the several "Angels".

Christmas and Thanksgiving, we have always donated hundreds to the "stuff the buss" campaigns to feed the needy. 

We have donated cash on several occasions to my Brothers in need...never a loan...always told them to pay it forward. Help someone else. Now, well, it seems I am someone else.

I have alwasy believed the Ranger Motto "Sua Sponte" - Of Their Own Accord...but sometimes, even Rangers need to call in an Air Support Mission.

$7500 is nowhere near the amount it would take to get us up to zero, but I'm not asking for a fresh start. I own this hole. I'm just asking for a shovel to help me dig my family out.

Thank you for taking the time reading this. There are hundreds of deserving causes in these pages of gofundme.

I just hope you feel we are worthy to be one of them.

Thank you,

and God Bless.

The Gillard Family - Kathy, Jason, Ranger and Max