BARRY NEEDS OUR HELP!

Hi, my name is Loren and I’m fundraising for my good friend Barry Taff, whom I’ve known for over 50 years. He’s helped me and countless people with health issues over the years and is truly one of the most gifted and brilliant people I’ve ever known. He holds a doctorate in psychophysiology with a minor in biomedical engineering, is a world-renowned parapsychologist who worked out of UCLA's former parapsychology laboratory from 1969 through 1978 as a research associate. This is when I met him and among other things he was able to cure one of my issues with a device he invented.

Unfortunately, he’s had some extremely serious health challenges that have, for some time now, left him unable to work. He’s therefore found himself facing imminent homelessness.

Some of you may already know, but what has happened to him is the following:

In 2015 he collapsed at his friend’s home in Rancho Mirage and awoke to discover himself in a hospital bed with tubes coming out of his kidneys and a Foley Catheter. Apparently, his prostate grew so large that it blocked his kidney’s ability to send urine into his bladder. His condition was so severe that if he hadn't been at his friend's house he most likely would have died. He ended up spending five weeks in the hospital and was then transferred to a nursing home in Indio for a year. Then he was back in the hospital and they removed the tubes from his kidney and the catheter. He was then sent to another nursing home in Yucca Valley for 8 more months to recover from the Turp procedure on his prostate that was now cancerous. Leaving that nursing home he ended up moving into his friend’s house in Rancho Mirage, but then his cataracts regrew from the surgeries he had back in 2011, but this time they were so bad that he couldn't see the TV nor work on his computer. From 2018-19 he had three more cataract surgeries. It then seemed like things were getting a little more relaxed. Shortly thereafter, his friend moved to Palm Desert where they lived from 2017-2021. In June of this year they were evicted from the Palm Desert house because the owners said they wanted to move in. Even the eviction moratoriums could not prevent that as it was one of the sure-fire ways of removing tenants even if they're paying rent. Trying to find another place to rent has literally been impossible. Most everything in the area he was living was either far too expensive or was already rented. Since leaving his home on June 22nd of this year he’s slept in his friend's car, various motels and hotels. Then a friend paid for him to stay five days at a Marriott Hotel in this area which was great. He then found only one room available at the Holiday Inn Express in Temecula, but in summer, the rates are quite high: $150/weekdays and $250/weekends (Friday and Saturday). As this was the only place available to him, he had to take it. As of this point, his best estimation of his bill is somewhere between $9,500-$9,700. However, the only money he has at this time is around $1,400. Apparently if you're unwilling or unable to pay your hotel bill that exceeds $2,000, it is considered a felony and you will be arrested. The only income he has at this time is from Social Security which at this point is only $693.58 that goes to $953.72. This is why he is trying to raise money in order to avoid jail.

UPDATES

He is deeply grateful for the help he’s been given thus far and is profoundly embarrassed and disappointed to admit that he’s in this situation.

Since last September he’s been living in the Extended Stay America Hotel in Temecula. Over the last year his rent at this hotel had been entirely paid for by the Riverside Adult Protective Services (APS). However, that time is about to end as several days ago he was notified by one of the social workers that APS will no longer cover his residence at that hotel. The cost of residing at a Section 8 apt, (rent, food, medication, utilities, furniture, etc. exceeds his monthly SSI.

Most of the SSI money goes to cover OTC medications, regular prescriptions and food delivery as he no longer owns a car, and the cost of delivery is often more than the cost of food. Most places to eat are over 2.5 miles away as is the local Vons and Ralphs. Instacart delivers from markets but it's not cheap. Furthermore, the eviction last June completely prevents his renting anything anywhere right now.

If you can find it in your heart to send anything it would be so greatly appreciated! And if you know of any housing situations please let him or I know.

Wishing you and yours a Safe, Happy and Healthy New Year!