About this fundraiser

In a journey as tumultuous as the sea yet as precious as a hidden treasure, I have traversed paths I never imagined, often stumbling through the darkness yet always reaching for the light. Since the tender age of twelve, I lived a life defined not by the innocence of youth but by the relentless cycle of homelessness and addiction. Molly, crack, fentanyl, meth—they became both my shackles and my solace, leading me through the shadows into prison walls four times, accumulating thirteen years of my life lost to the clutches of despair.

 

I have been transfixed by violence, having been stabbed and shot, surviving turmoil that should have silenced my story forever. Nine times, fentanyl took me to the very precipice of life; nine times, I hovered between this world and the next. Yet, in what I now see as divine timing, June 12, 2024, marked a profound turning point—a resurrection of sorts.

 

That day, I chose life. I chose healing. I placed myself in treatment, a sanctuary offering redemption and hope. Each moment since has been an impassioned step toward a new purpose, a calling to illuminate the path for others lost in the shadows as I was. Embracing the mission to assist those entangled by addiction, I embarked on a new chapter, one of enlightenment and service.

 

Today, my journey weaves through the corridors of academia as I pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology with a focus on addiction counseling. I'm driven by the desire to extend the very lifeline that was once cast to me, empowering others to transcend their struggles and reclaim their destinies.

 

I humbly reach out now, seeking a helping hand, not as a charity case but as someone striving for justice and transformation. The support I need is to secure legal assistance in Florida to resolve an outstanding charge, a remnant of my past that chains me still. I humbly implore your help—whether through donations, sharing my story with others in your network, or any form of support you can offer.

 

My heart is steadfast, and my commitment to sobriety and to serving others is my unyielding compass. I dream of being that beacon for others, demonstrating that no matter the depths you have sunk to, there is always a way back to the surface. Your support would mean the world to me—not a handout, but a hand up, enabling me to continue this mission of hope and healing.

 

Thank you for considering my plea, and may you be blessed for your kindness.

Organized by

Christopher Wheeler

Woodbury, NJ, USA

Organizer