My name is Donald Mayer,
and writing these words is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.
I have spent most of my life trying to be the person who helps others. When someone needed a hand, I tried to be there. My faith has taught me that when you have the ability to help someone who is struggling, you should step up.
Today, I am the one who needs a hand.
I am not asking for sympathy. I am asking for a chance to get through the most difficult financial and personal crisis my family and I have ever faced.
One hardship after another
Recently, I suffered a broken tibial plateau, requiring surgery with plates and screws. The injury has left me struggling with even basic everyday activities, and there are times when I can barely dress myself.
For the past seven years, I have worked as a journeyman carpenter through my union. I have always taken pride in working hard and providing for my family. But right now, my leg simply will not allow me to do the physical work I have spent years doing.
My recovery could keep me from returning to my normal work for a very long time — potentially up to a year.
Even when I am medically able to return, I don't know whether my body will immediately allow me to handle the demanding work I have always done.
And unfortunately, work was already becoming uncertain before my injury.
Our union members have experienced a significant reduction in available labor hours, with hours reduced by more than half amid the ongoing Dallas convention center construction and remodeling projects. I have had to go on will-call status, making an already uncertain financial situation even more difficult.
While I was recovering, my wife suffered a stroke
As difficult as my injury has been, the hardest part has been watching my wife go through her own medical crisis.
Around the same time that I was hospitalized, my wife suffered a stroke and was hospitalized herself. She is now in a rehabilitation facility working toward recovery.
I want nothing more than to be beside my wife while she goes through this.
But right now, I am struggling to afford transportation just to get to her. There are days when something as simple as an Uber is financially out of reach.
It breaks my heart to know that my wife is recovering from a stroke while I am sitting here trying to figure out how we are going to make it through the next day.
We are also facing the loss of our home and transportation
The house we rent is currently in foreclosure, leaving us uncertain about our housing future.
Then our vehicle — which has approximately 300,000 miles on it — broke down. The motor is no longer able to start or operate. I still have an outstanding title loan on that vehicle, making the situation even more difficult.
Without reliable transportation, getting to medical appointments, visiting my wife in rehabilitation, handling necessities, and eventually returning to work becomes even harder.
We are struggling to keep the electricity on.I have been able to receive some assistance with our electric bill, but unfortunately it only covered about half of what we owed. The remaining balance is something I simply cannot afford right now.
The extreme heat has made the possibility of losing electricity especially frightening. I am doing everything I can to keep the utilities connected while trying to survive on extremely limited resources.
I have bad credit, very limited income right now, a disabled vehicle, uncertain housing, and medical and household expenses continuing to pile up.
I have reached a point where I cannot solve this by simply working harder — because right now, my body won't let me work the way I normally do.
I am asking for help, not pity
This is difficult for me to say because I am usually the person trying to help somebody else.
I have never wanted to be dependent on anyone. I have always believed in working for what you have and doing your part. But sometimes life puts you in a position where you have to humble yourself and ask others for help.
That is where I am today.
I am asking for help keeping a roof over our heads, keeping the electricity on, dealing with transportation and vehicle expenses, covering basic living expenses, and getting through the long road to recovery and returning to work.
Most importantly, I want to have the ability to be there for my wife while she works toward recovering from her stroke.
I still have faith
There have been moments when I have been afraid of where all of this could ultimately lead. But I refuse to give up.
My faith in God has always been strong, and during this season of my life, I am holding onto that faith more tightly than ever. I believe God has carried me through difficult times before, and I believe He will carry us through this one.
I also still believe in people.
I believe there is good in humanity. I believe people can step forward when someone is struggling. And I believe that sometimes a small act of kindness can change someone's entire situation.
If you are able to donate, no amount is too small. Every contribution will help us move one step closer to stability.
If you cannot donate, sharing this fundraiser is just as meaningful. You never know who might see it and be in a position to help.
I am not asking anyone to fix our lives.
I am simply asking for the opportunity to breathe, recover, support my wife, keep our basic necessities in place, and eventually get back on my feet.
For most of my life, I have tried to be the person who shows up when someone else needs help.
Today, I am asking someone to show up for us. Please keep my wife and me in your prayers.
Thank you for reading our story. Thank you for sharing it. Thank you for every prayer, every dollar, and every act of kindness.
I have not given up.
I still have faith. I still have hope. And I still believe that, with God's help and the kindness of others, we can get through this. God bless you,
Donald Mayer
