Group: BMX Industry
Posts: 2,253
Joined: 10-December 03
From: Where 40 is just a number.........
Member No.: 2,817
Dear friends,
Please know that due to my life's current circumstances, I am forced to ask for help on top of all the wonderful help I have already received. You'll probably see this same thing all over the internet with me asking for some help, but just know that I am literally forced into it and have to put my family first and killing any pride that wells up.
The following is a request for assistance on medical bills stemming from my crash at Louisville. Again- a huge teary eyed thank you goes out for any help already given or subsequently given after considering this......
Let me first say thank you for even considering helping me out in this very difficult time. Injuries by themselves are hard enough, but add the expenses of today’s medical costs and it’s a wonder anybody does any sport, let alone BMX racing.
My reasoning for not having health insurance was not a protest or flippant way to approach life, but it was a choice I had to make for a short time to help stabilize my family at the moment. My wife (who had us all on a wonderful policy when she worked at an area hospital) was the victim of some cutbacks in the medical field and was let go earlier this year. The problem was (and still is) she discovered problems with her heart and is undergoing testing to warrant heart surgery or not. We had to keep her on COBRA to prepare for anything that arose from the findings (still being tested) and the only way our budget ( now down to just one salary) could handle it was to go without health insurance for me. I am in great shape and we have medical policies in place here at our skatepark/BMX facility and the racing sanctions have supplemental insurance for accidents at their events, so we went with that direction, hoping it would meet our needs.
Needless to say, we never imagined a wreck at a race could get as bad as it has for me on this one. I broke my upper arm bone in two spots….one very close to the ball joint and it is needing extensive and imminent surgery(s) to ever have normal use of my arm again. Hospital stays, MRI’s, CT’s, X-rays all add up so quick and so much that we are already over 25,000.00 as of now and more is to come. The NBL’s insurance will only cover a small fraction of the total, so I am forced to ask you for any and all help you can give in my need.
The good news is this…..
Since I run Emerald Coast Dirt & Vert, I can make this a win/win situation for you or your business. We have sponsorship packets I sent along or can send you outlining ‘tax deductible’ advertising and free park use for you on a number of levels. This way, it’s not just a handout by definition, rather an advertising opportunity or sponsorship gift you can write off your taxes and not just throwing money down a hole that you never see the benefits of your help. You can see the park at www.ecdandv.com to see what I do here in the panhandle of Florida.
I emplore you to help in any way you can and promise that the benefits you will receive will not only make you feel good to help a brother in need, but with contracts of sponsorship and logos advertised along with free use of the facility, you will be able to see and measure your contribution to me and ECDV. Please contact me and I can provide the different plans we offer for businesses and individuals like yourselves who want to support/sponsor our kind of lifestyle at a plce like ECDV. We have plans for individuals ranging from 25.00 to 500.00 and for businesses from 150.00 all the way up to 3,000.00 in different levels of park support/sponsorship.
You never know.................you might find yourself in a spot like this somewhere down the road.
Group: Moderators
Posts: 3,775
Joined: 25-November 02
From: sea to shining sea
Member No.: 1,311
Is there a way to PayPal some funds over?
I was in a similar situation when I lost my spleen in 1995. I didn't have any insurance and the collection at the national was of vast help in paying some of the bills.
Group: Members
Posts: 463
Joined: 7-September 05
From: Maine
Member No.: 7,262
Bill, once you do let me know.... I will forward the funds from the plate sales directly to your account from mine...
Just so everyone knows reading this thread, that I will be doing up a special plate for Bill, he gave me permission to do it. All (100%) of the profits from the plates will go to Bill and his family to help out....pretty much like I have done in the past for Tara, Stephen and Shane. I will get the design done today and approved by Bill...once that is done I will post up an order page and post a link here and who ever wants to help is more than welcome to purchase...
Heal quick Bill....
This post has been edited by JBRP: Sep 11 2009, 06:52 AM
Group: Members
Posts: 463
Joined: 7-September 05
From: Maine
Member No.: 7,262
Stu, man don't run away so quick...you know I am a team player... I just know you hate doing one off plates...... If you got some design input forward it on over.... I know you got your loyal customer base too... This is about helping a brother out.... Heck if Sab wants some input on it as well hell, I'll put him on their too.... email them over in .ai or .cdr....
Group: Members
Posts: 400
Joined: 1-July 08
Member No.: 16,466
Get in contact with the people over at the Athlete Recovery Fund ( http://www.athleterecoveryfund.com/ ) and see if they might be able to help get your bills lowered (Taj Mihelich had back surgery, they got his bills lowered from like 40k to 6k...)
Group: Members
Posts: 1,009
Joined: 1-November 07
Member No.: 13,187
QUOTE (sxebmx @ Sep 11 2009, 09:50 AM)
Get in contact with the people over at the Athlete Recovery Fund ( http://www.athleterecoveryfund.com/ ) and see if they might be able to help get your bills lowered...
That's great advice. Remember rich people don't pay medical bills.
This post has been edited by superjeer: Sep 11 2009, 09:08 AM
Sep 11 2009, 12:54 AM
