Medical bills help & graphic novel
Donation protected
Hi there Karen Charles Stidham here.
All the artwork shown here was done by myself but it is not the work from the graphic novel - that work is in the layout stage - this art shown here is so you can gage my talent level
This gofundme campain is 2 fold.
1st to help me get back in shape so I can handel my Arthritis better by getting the extra weight off. Also pay my medical needs.
2nd to help me get the tools I need to get back to work from home and make a living for myself and get off Social Security or at least supplement my income and to produce my Graphic Novel - The graphic novel is sci-fi theme, dealing with, before there was life was on Mars and Earth up to mondern day - sword and sorcery to superhero
Here's my story, back in January 2005 I contracted GBS Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a disorder where a patient’s immune system goes haywire and attacks the peripheral nervous system. The symptoms of Guillain Barre Syndrome can begin anywhere from one day to several weeks after a vaccination, but usually peak around one to two weeks after the shot is given. The chronic version of GBS is known as Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy or CIDP.
The first symptom of Guillain Barré Syndrome is often weakness or tingling in the legs. Those sensations can spread to the arms and upper body until the victim becomes paralyzed. GBS can cause such severe muscle weakness that patients must be put on a ventilator to breathe. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Pins and needles feeling in your extremities
Weakness in your legs that spreads upwards
Trouble walking or keeping your balance
Difficulty chewing or swallowing, Problems breathing
The GBS hit me hard, started in my feet and travel up my entire body. It affected my whole body. I had no strenth or stamina and basicly I was paralise, bedridden . I couldn't even hold up my arm up long enough to sign my name - the first words out of the nurse mouth were "people die from this everyday".
At the time I had ballon up to 660 lbs and had gotton down to 600 lbs by walking 4miles everyday nonstop to our inner harbor here in Balt.MD. were I would rest for 20 min. and then walk back. Then I contacted GBS and collapsed in my home. I spent a 9 days in the hospital, then spent 4 months in a nursing home paid for by social service because I couldn't afford health insurance - I lost another100 lbs because I either just didn't want to eat or I couldn't eat what they were serving.
There was no medican they could give for the GBS. They could only rebuild your blood with plama and let your body heal itself - my doctor told me I may never reach 100% of what I was before - now I am about 70% of what I was
After 4 month in the nursing home I started getting SS Disabilty and got health insurance and it paid for a gym membership with a pool, were I could go swiming.
The only exersize I could do was swimming. Out of the water the exersize were too painfull to do. I could no longer do my 4 miles walks. I was lucky to make it 3 blocks before I had to sit down and rest. A trip to a near-by grocery store which use to take me about 30min. round trip. It now take me about 2hr, I have to stop 4 time to rest 10 to 20 min. each time on a round trip. My insurance was bought out by another company and they drop the gym membership. I had lost another 70lbs while I had access to the pool
Beside the damage from the GBS, I have servere arthritis in my lower back, knees and feet and my legs and back hurt all the time
I thoug for awhile that I might have lost my abaility to draw because of the GBS. But as I progress in my healing, that has all come back. That how I made a living before the GBS, but I had a car back then and could do graphics, art show and festivable. now no car and I walk with two canes - so I need to be able to work from home
I just barley make it month to month on my Social Security of $930.00 a month, there always one bill that doesn't get paid in full. below is a list of things that I need to improve my life and health a reason why
I need a wheel chair or scootor - because my arthritis is getting worse the older I get. It would cut the time it take me to do things and I wouldn't get as tire and get much more done
Money for a gym membership so I can get back to the pool, the only place I can workout . the more weight I can lose the better I can handel the arthritis. My legs and back hurt me all the time and tire the hell out me. So I don't get much done
I can no longer afford to by art supplies, living on SS and in today graphic and illustration market, everything done with computers that you can draw right on the glass. So I would like to get a Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 16, and a bunch of art programs and a 6 ink printer for 11 x 17 prints.
In my first update I listed a couple of perks, which could help you recoup your donation and may-be more. please read that before making your donation. I do this because, I don't expect money for nothing - I think you deserve something for helping me.
To anyone sending a donation of
$20.00 - I have a mini 8 1/2 x 11 B&W on acid free
- your choise 1 of 3
$35.00 or more. I will be doing a very limited full color print run of 3 prints. Printed on 11 x 17 80 to 90lbs acid free archival paper. You will be able to choose one as a thank you for your donation. This will be available sometime soon after I reach $15,000.00.
$70.00 donation will get all 3 prints.
The 11 x 17 color print run will be limited by the number of donation of $35.00 or more
Example: if 125 people donate $35.00 or more then the print run will be 125 sign and numbered.
Also when it is completed for person who donate $120.00 or more - along with the 3 prints, you will get a hardback sign and number copy of my graphic novel.
The hardbacks will be limited to the next higher 100 print run - example if I receive 75 donation of $120.00 or more - I will have a print run of 100 hardback
The art subject matter for the prints run will be,sword and sorcery, funny fairy tales [elves, faries, orgers ect] and the last one the hero from my graphic novel in and action shot
Also for those getting the hardback there will be a separate insert print
The basic story line will cover magic and science realm, from sorcery to superhero, from before life on Mars and Earth to mondern day.
By keeping the print run low you should be able to recoup your donation and more, if you decided to sell them later
Also in the hardback only there will be a doner page were the names of thoses who donated will be listed
The Silver Surfer here was pencil by Greg LaRouch and inked by myself - all the other work was completly done by me.
All the artwork shown here was done by myself but it is not the work from the graphic novel - that work is in the layout stage - this art shown here is so you can gage my talent level
This gofundme campain is 2 fold.
1st to help me get back in shape so I can handel my Arthritis better by getting the extra weight off. Also pay my medical needs.
2nd to help me get the tools I need to get back to work from home and make a living for myself and get off Social Security or at least supplement my income and to produce my Graphic Novel - The graphic novel is sci-fi theme, dealing with, before there was life was on Mars and Earth up to mondern day - sword and sorcery to superhero
Here's my story, back in January 2005 I contracted GBS Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a disorder where a patient’s immune system goes haywire and attacks the peripheral nervous system. The symptoms of Guillain Barre Syndrome can begin anywhere from one day to several weeks after a vaccination, but usually peak around one to two weeks after the shot is given. The chronic version of GBS is known as Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy or CIDP.
The first symptom of Guillain Barré Syndrome is often weakness or tingling in the legs. Those sensations can spread to the arms and upper body until the victim becomes paralyzed. GBS can cause such severe muscle weakness that patients must be put on a ventilator to breathe. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Pins and needles feeling in your extremities
Weakness in your legs that spreads upwards
Trouble walking or keeping your balance
Difficulty chewing or swallowing, Problems breathing
The GBS hit me hard, started in my feet and travel up my entire body. It affected my whole body. I had no strenth or stamina and basicly I was paralise, bedridden . I couldn't even hold up my arm up long enough to sign my name - the first words out of the nurse mouth were "people die from this everyday".
At the time I had ballon up to 660 lbs and had gotton down to 600 lbs by walking 4miles everyday nonstop to our inner harbor here in Balt.MD. were I would rest for 20 min. and then walk back. Then I contacted GBS and collapsed in my home. I spent a 9 days in the hospital, then spent 4 months in a nursing home paid for by social service because I couldn't afford health insurance - I lost another100 lbs because I either just didn't want to eat or I couldn't eat what they were serving.
There was no medican they could give for the GBS. They could only rebuild your blood with plama and let your body heal itself - my doctor told me I may never reach 100% of what I was before - now I am about 70% of what I was
After 4 month in the nursing home I started getting SS Disabilty and got health insurance and it paid for a gym membership with a pool, were I could go swiming.
The only exersize I could do was swimming. Out of the water the exersize were too painfull to do. I could no longer do my 4 miles walks. I was lucky to make it 3 blocks before I had to sit down and rest. A trip to a near-by grocery store which use to take me about 30min. round trip. It now take me about 2hr, I have to stop 4 time to rest 10 to 20 min. each time on a round trip. My insurance was bought out by another company and they drop the gym membership. I had lost another 70lbs while I had access to the pool
Beside the damage from the GBS, I have servere arthritis in my lower back, knees and feet and my legs and back hurt all the time
I thoug for awhile that I might have lost my abaility to draw because of the GBS. But as I progress in my healing, that has all come back. That how I made a living before the GBS, but I had a car back then and could do graphics, art show and festivable. now no car and I walk with two canes - so I need to be able to work from home
I just barley make it month to month on my Social Security of $930.00 a month, there always one bill that doesn't get paid in full. below is a list of things that I need to improve my life and health a reason why I need a wheel chair or scootor - because my arthritis is getting worse the older I get. It would cut the time it take me to do things and I wouldn't get as tire and get much more done
Money for a gym membership so I can get back to the pool, the only place I can workout . the more weight I can lose the better I can handel the arthritis. My legs and back hurt me all the time and tire the hell out me. So I don't get much done
I can no longer afford to by art supplies, living on SS and in today graphic and illustration market, everything done with computers that you can draw right on the glass. So I would like to get a Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 16, and a bunch of art programs and a 6 ink printer for 11 x 17 prints.
In my first update I listed a couple of perks, which could help you recoup your donation and may-be more. please read that before making your donation. I do this because, I don't expect money for nothing - I think you deserve something for helping me.To anyone sending a donation of
$20.00 - I have a mini 8 1/2 x 11 B&W on acid free
- your choise 1 of 3
$35.00 or more. I will be doing a very limited full color print run of 3 prints. Printed on 11 x 17 80 to 90lbs acid free archival paper. You will be able to choose one as a thank you for your donation. This will be available sometime soon after I reach $15,000.00.
$70.00 donation will get all 3 prints.
The 11 x 17 color print run will be limited by the number of donation of $35.00 or more
Example: if 125 people donate $35.00 or more then the print run will be 125 sign and numbered.
Also when it is completed for person who donate $120.00 or more - along with the 3 prints, you will get a hardback sign and number copy of my graphic novel.
The hardbacks will be limited to the next higher 100 print run - example if I receive 75 donation of $120.00 or more - I will have a print run of 100 hardback
The art subject matter for the prints run will be,sword and sorcery, funny fairy tales [elves, faries, orgers ect] and the last one the hero from my graphic novel in and action shot
Also for those getting the hardback there will be a separate insert print
The basic story line will cover magic and science realm, from sorcery to superhero, from before life on Mars and Earth to mondern day.
By keeping the print run low you should be able to recoup your donation and more, if you decided to sell them later
Also in the hardback only there will be a doner page were the names of thoses who donated will be listed
The Silver Surfer here was pencil by Greg LaRouch and inked by myself - all the other work was completly done by me.Organizer
Karen Charles Stidham
Organizer
Baltimore, MD