Just wanted to share a quick update and thank everyone who's stood with us.

We’re still living week to week, but by God’s grace, we’re hanging on.

The local VSO has continued to be a huge help—covering our electric and water bills and providing grocery assistance. That support was originally scheduled to end this month (July), since they usually cap it at six months. But because of the circumstances we’re facing, they were able to request an extension. We’re incredibly grateful for that.

Unfortunately, SNAP cut us off back in June, claiming our small business income was too high—even though most of what we earn goes right back into materials and operations. It’s made things tighter than they already were.

I’m still applying for jobs almost daily, while continuing to grow our 3D printing business, Watkins 3D Creations & More. We’re doing everything we can to turn it into something sustainable.

I’ve also been working on self-publishing my autobiography, Through the Fire: A Survivor’s Story. It’s been healing and challenging. I try to finish a chapter each day, though life doesn’t always cooperate.

We’re doing what we can with what we’ve got. Your support—whether financial, through prayer, or just sharing the campaign—has kept us going. Thank you for standing with us.

Still in the fight,

—Michael Watkins

Isaiah 43:2 – “When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned…”

Dear friends, supporters, and kind strangers,

It’s May 21, 2025, and I’m sharing an update on our family’s journey with a mix of hope and heavy-hearted honesty. We’re down to $250 in our main checking account and just $41 in our business account for Watkins 3D Creations & More. We’re struggling to survive, and we desperately need your help to keep going.

On my road to recovery, I recently had a stellate ganglion block (SGB) treatment, and it’s helped immensely. The darkness that once consumed me—moments of despair, doubt, anxiety attacks, and cries—still lingers, but it’s far more manageable now. Life feels a bit more doable, though I’m still taking it one day, one breath, one step at a time. I spend a lot of time talking to God, both out loud and in my head, fighting against my own thoughts. Some days, the idea of being better off dead still creeps in, but compared to the me I was just a few weeks ago before the SGB shot, I’m worlds better. I’m healing, slowly, through therapy and working on myself, but the road ahead is long. I’m still trying to be the head of this house, to drive it and keep it afloat, even as I battle my own mind.

Meanwhile, my fight for justice has hit a heartbreaking wall. LA County detectives have all but said they’re unwilling to prosecute the man who raped me as a child, citing the time that’s passed—even though there’s no statute of limitations on rape in California. I have the recordings, the evidence, but their responses make me feel like my efforts are pointless. It’s a devastating blow, but I’m not giving up. I’m clinging to my faith, trusting God to guide me through this injustice, just as He’s guided me through every fire in my life.

Financially, we’re in a dire place. The VA is moving slowly, and we’re still waiting on an unemployment appeal that’s been delayed for three weeks, withholding funds we desperately need. I’m applying for jobs and seeking support through veteran programs, but the process is agonizingly slow, and our bills are mounting. Our 3D printing business is our lifeline, but sales are sluggish, and every dollar we earn goes right back into keeping it alive. We own our home, but the HELOC is on forbearance, leaving us with a looming debt we can’t tackle. We’re struggling to afford food, utilities, and basics for our children, Austin and Kimberly.

This is a test of our faith and resilience, as I’ve shared in my autobiography, Through the Fire: A Survivor’s Story. Christ has carried me through every nightmare, and I trust He’ll carry us through this one too. But right now, I’m asking for your help to be His hands and feet. Any donation—no matter how small—will help us cover bills, put food on the table, and keep our family together. If you can’t donate, please share our campaign and pray for us. Your support, in any form, means the world to Crystal, our kids, and me.

Thank you for standing with us in this fire. We’re holding onto hope, trusting God will provide through the kindness of people like you.

With gratitude and faith,

The Watkins Family

Goal: $650 to cover gas, food, and a simple family outing during SGB treatment week

My name is Michael Watkins, a U.S. Army veteran, husband, and father of two. I’ve been through it all—childhood abuse, gang life, military betrayal, homelessness, PTSD, and losing friends to suicide. And somehow, I’m still standing.

I’ve been approved for the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)—a powerful treatment shown to reduce or even silence the symptoms of combat-related PTSD. It’s scheduled this week in Annapolis.

The cost of the procedure and two nights of lodging are covered. But we had planned to stretch the trip into a simple week of peace with our kids—one extra night, gas, food, and just a little time to be a family while I finally get help.

We are not asking for luxury. We’re asking for the ability to breathe.

We have just $138.21 in our main account. I’ve sold all my personal firearms, and now I’m about to pawn my Steam Deck just to cover basic costs.

This was supposed to be a step toward healing—not just for me, but for my kids to have one good memory from a very dark year.

I’ve walked through hell. From being raped at 6 years old to being shamed by my own chain of command for a service-connected leg condition, to watching my best friend—a fellow veteran—take his own life. Now I’m asking for help to keep going.

If you’ve ever said you support veterans, this is your chance to show it.

💵 $5 or $10 helps cover gas or food.

🙏 Prayers are welcome—but shares and donations make this trip possible.

Thank you for reading. From the bottom of my heart.

It’s been nearly three months since I was fired for disclosing my mental health struggles. Since then, we’ve only received three unemployment payments total, the most recent just came through. It’s not enough.

We have no idea how we’re going to cover the upcoming car payment, and it’s one of several major concerns weighing on us right now.

We’ve reached out to every charity and organization we can find—both for veterans and low-income families. Many of them simply don’t assist with car payments, which is understandable, but leaves us without options.

Our groceries, utilities, and essentials have been sustained largely thanks to our local VSO, along with some early Aldi gift cards and SNAP benefits. But the VSO is starting to run out of available support too.

Our children are homeschooled. While we do pay a small monthly fee for their curriculum, that has not been a financial burden in comparison to everything else.

The 3D printing business is still going, and we’re doing our best to build it up. But right now, it’s not bringing in enough to stabilize things.

The community has largely remained silent, even when aware of our situation. That’s not an accusation—just a statement of fact.

At this point, we are considering seeking legal help to file bankruptcy because we’re out of ways to stay ahead.

If you’re able to help in any way—financially, through prayer, or by sharing—we truly need it right now.

👉 https://www.givesendgo.com/Watkinsfamily

Thank you to everyone who has stood with us.

– Michael Watkins & Family

April 24, 2025

We want to thank everyone who’s shared, prayed, or donated. Your support truly means the world to our family.

But we’re still in deep waters.

Since Mike was fired on February 7th after disclosing his suicidal thoughts and severe depression to both HR and management, we’ve only received three unemployment payments from the state. That’s it. As of today, we have nothing left in our personal bank account, and bills are stacking up fast.

We’ve had to place our home loan into forbearance to avoid losing the roof over our heads. Thankfully, our Veterans Service Officer (VSO) has helped cover electric and water bills and buy groceries for the past two months, which has been a true blessing. But we’re still trying to manage:

Car payments and insurance

Cell phones (we're working on reducing this)

Gas, groceries, and essentials

Education costs for our children (home learning)

Our 3D printing business is doing okay, and it’s the only income stream we have right now, but it’s still small and not enough to sustain the family. Every order helps, but the pace is slow.

Mike’s mental health remains fragile. He’s still actively seeking unemployment help and fighting for full VA disability—but progress has been painfully slow. He’s only been seen a couple of times by VA mental health and has been prescribed a mood stabilizer and sleep aid, neither of which are doing much to help.

BUT we do have a glimmer of hope:

👉 Mike was recently accepted into the Wounded Warrior Project. We’re praying this will lead to more mental health support, guidance through the VA system, and help in finally reaching 100% service connection.

For now, we still desperately need help. Please pray. Please share. And if you’re in a position to give, even $10 makes a huge difference. Your support keeps us going.

Thank you for standing with us.

—The Watkins Family

https://www.givesendgo.com/Watkinsfamily