Combat Veteran Mike's Recovery

Hi, I’m Mike—a Marine combat veteran who proudly served my country in Iraq. I’ve faced a lot of challenges over the years, but the biggest is the one that doesn't leave a trail or any scars. It carries the household name of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). I have tried to tough it out through the years but ultimately, I am losing the fight. This is why I have chosen to seek help in the form of inpatient rehab.

I have been fighting for years to just be able to be here.  After Iraq I was honorably discharged from the Marines. A few years later I was diagnosed with lung issues from Iraq, and just over a year ago had back to back spinal surgeries to replace two disks in my spine.  For me, life is constant pain. I don't tell you this to gain your sympathy, but to help you understand the financial situation I am in.

For the past few years I have been struggling not just to walk, breathe, and stay mentally sane, but also to financially survive. Over the years, I have turned to alcohol more than I have turned to look at myself in the mirror. I have been prescribed every drug the VA has in their arsenal, but nothing seems to make the pain go away. If you or anyone you know has ever taken medication for a mental "disorder", you know that when you try to get off a lot of times life turns into a water slide. (Good luck standing on your own two feet on a water slide.)

I just cannot keep the cycle of torture going any longer; as a result, I recently decided to check myself into an inpatient rehabilitation center. I never had a clear picture of what I wanted to become with all this medication, and have decided that it is impossible to change from something unless there is something to change into.

This choice that I’m making is not an easy one or an inexpensive one, but this is where I am. (I do not have insurance.) This will cost me money, but I will not let it cost me everything!

The rehab center I am going to comes with a price tag of about $20,000 a month and the length of stay depends on how I am doing in the process. Anywhere from 30-90 days. Any funds above that will go to help anyone else who finds themselves in pain. I hereby pledge to use whatever funds I will need for my recovery above what I have the ability to pay myself.

I am entering into a healing portion of life's journey and it is my intention to heal, but I can’t do it alone—I need the help of my tribe. With your help, I can find the light again, and move towards healing—not only for me, but for all those I long to help as well.

I thank you my tribe for your love and support through this process.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/combat-veteran-mikes-recovery