My name is Matt James. Well, I am fundraising because I was a victim of the Paradise Campfire. It took away everything I had, destroyed my house, car, all of my possessions, my bearded dragon passed away, my computers and my musical instruments such as my drum set, multiple guitars, my ukulele, all of my tattoo equipment that cost around $1,500-$2,000 burned and that’s just a little bit of what I lost. I had a whole life and felt pretty great about my accomplishments until they were taken from me.
Anyways you get the picture, it was a terrible time. My girlfriend and my roommate ran with me for 4 hours avoiding flames and ultimately our deaths.. after we had to ditch our cars and escape on foot. Well it has been a very difficult transition for me, I battle with depression and general anxiety everyday.
I am not asking for money to necessarily replace all the things I have lost, but I would like money for a few things if anyone is willing to help, I also put the goal a little higher because I would like enough donations to help not only me but my girlfriend as well and I have a dog. We are having a tough time with funding.
after I achieve what I am asking for I plan to buy more necessities, not luxuries.
Since my mental health has been poor after the fire I have took a break from working, I am not sure I am up for the task of working especially in a public environment. Therapy and self help is what I am focused on. But I do need income and if I can’t get a “normal” job I believe I could get a job working from home on the computer. I am experienced on the computer, I can do sales, I can help create websites, I can help with marketing and research, I am very well rounded when it comes to working on a computer. I have been learning about computers since I was just a kid.
And I think right now it would be beneficial for me to have a job where I could work at home. So basically I am asking for donations so I can buy a computer, mine was lost in the fire. I would also like to be able to afford a bearded dragon again as our family misses our bearded dragon Ali terribly. But we may not be ready for another dragon quite yet.
We could use help financially in general while I figure out a solid income. All money would be going to essential needs first, which would be a laptop for work and most likely clothing and car repairs, laundry, food, dog supplies, anything that we need that we struggle with.
Again I am reaching out for help, I hate to do it. But I would be grateful.
the pictures above show my house after the fire, my old car, and Ali the Dragon before she passed. I am lucky to be alive, so many didn’t make it.
unfortunately I went from living in a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house, to a fema trailer.
i’d love to start some work I can mentally handle so I can move on from here.
thank you.
much love to anyone who reads this and to anyone who is willing to donate.
