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JMCKUSICK

(3,664 posts)
Tue Aug 5, 2025, 06:35 PM Aug 5

I'm sorry that I have to keep asking you all for help, [View all]

September is fast approaching and so I am posting my GoFundMe link again and humbly asking for your donation or loan. (DUmail me please if you would like to discuss a loan.)

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-john-mckusick-overcome-health-and-financial-struggles

Just as a reminder, I am in the midst of waiting for SSDI to wind its way through to determining me disabled, and that process is a torture of sorts that I've never before experienced. We as applicants don't seem to exist except on paper, as there is zero seeming concern as to the time it takes, God forbid any concern as to our conditions worsening unless it is a short term terminal diagnosis. In other words, if we expect you to die soon, we will expedite your application. However, if this is more chronic and worsening over extended time, your economic condition means noting and we will take our sweet time. (2 years at the end of this month and counting,) I have filled out and submitted paperwork to Senator Durbins' office to see if they can help expedite the process. I haven't heard back yet.
My expenses including rent, utilities, phone, internet etc... add up to about $1200 per month. I have made it a point not to ask for any donations once the following month has been taken care of as I am painfully aware of how much these requests suck to read and suck to write.
Updating you on my heart and back, my heart seems fine, I don't have any symptoms with my heart or lungs, my next appt. with my heart Dr. is at the end of this month. As for my back, it is as bad as it has been pain wise. I have just started PT again, which Medicaid is requiring for 6 weeks before they will approve a new MRI. I am having to lay down multiple times a day to relieve the pain that most activities only exacerbate.
While there isn't much positive within this post, please let me close with a healthy dose:
You have, with your generosity, allowed me to stay under this wonderful roof that is my home for eight months that I couldn't have otherwise have managed. You have allowed me to stay connected to you, to have a phone to use, and to keep reasonably warm this winter, and cool this summer. I have been able to cook meals, to keep milk cold, frozen food frozen, and canned food safe because of you.
You have, with your generosity, have allowed my clothes to stay clean, Petunia and Cuddles to stay fed and healthy, and most importantly to my mental health, given me a platform with which to be grateful, positive, and I dare say inspired every morning for sure, and other times of day as well.
You are my family, as the support you have shown in so many ways, has exceeded any that my blood family has offered in my entire lifetime.
Thank you, my wonderful DU family for all the support you continue to offer. That I am in such a decent spiritual place is due in no small part to you, an emotional rock, not just to me, but to so many.

Love, John

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I know, right? OldBaldy1701E Aug 5 #1
You got that exactly right, OldBaldy! wordstroken Aug 5 #3
I'll tell you a sad story OldBaldy1701E, JMCKUSICK Aug 5 #5
I'm so so sorry for the pain you have endured because of your brother. wordstroken Aug 5 #7
On it! wordstroken Aug 5 #2
Thank you so much Wordstroken. JMCKUSICK Aug 5 #6
Beautiful and well meaning post. John debm55 Aug 5 #4
Thank you so much Debbie JMCKUSICK Aug 6 #8
Kick JMCKUSICK Aug 6 #9
Great day today, John. I hope your day is great. debm55 Aug 6 #10
kick debm55 Aug 7 #11
Kick JMCKUSICK Aug 8 #12
Your poems are so heartwarming. debm55 Aug 8 #13
Thank you Debbie! JMCKUSICK Aug 9 #14
You lift a lot of us too... Mike 03 Aug 9 #15
Agree. It is a delight reading John's morning posts. debm55 Aug 9 #16
Thank you Mike 03 JMCKUSICK Aug 9 #17
Almost there, debm55 Aug 10 #18
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