MobilityWorks
Accessibility for all: Helping people connect with who and what matters most
Searching...
No results found. Please try modifying your search.
I am told that by sharing something called ‘my personal health story’ you will thereby become more inclined to donate on my behalf. Well, let’s give this a try, shall we?
(…but already he will have hesitated, wondering as he is how such a thing could ever be communicated, for a ‘personal health story’ is nothing less than the total description of the physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions of an assumed singularity, dispersed across time, about which he is so unfamiliar and which is perhaps that which is most foreign to him, so how could that be shared?)
OK. That was weird. Let’s just stick to the facts and together presume even if unjustifiably that facticity is most fundamentally constitutive of Dasein. Properly externalizing, I shall use the third-person:
Tim Schehl is some two months away from his 40th year. Through processes mechanistic or karmic or some historical combination thereof the sign ‘τιμώ θεός’ landed upon a material-semiotic body within which a mutated copy of the PKD1/2 gene triggers bilateral pathogenic cell reproduction within the nephronic structures of the kidney organs and which, left untreated, causes organ failure and death.
But wait! There’s science! Approximately 60 years ago scientists and medical professionals began experimenting with kidney organ donation and grafting as a means of treating Ending Stage Renal Disease. But while medical technologies and methods have consistently advanced with respect to the treatment of kidney disease, the ambient social environment (in the United States especially) has produced numerous exigencies that sharply limit affordability, access and support for persons seeking treatment for this condition.
Fun fact: ADPKD affects roughly 200,000-600,000 persons in the United States. Global figures are harder to estimate, but likely they approximate 12,000,000.
Arriving at the first-person, I can now despite this formidable social context nonetheless give voice to an authentic gratitude beyond calculation, boundless as the multiverse. Gratitude for the slow crawl of medico-technical progress; gratitude for the chance to live; gratitude for every moment of time with my children and wife, friends and relations who will because of all of these contingencies not be required to process my death quite so early as they otherwise would have; gratitude for the people who underwent the donor screening process; and most of all, gratitude to my donor, Emma Young, for the pure gift beyond economy. How does one say ‘thank you’ for that?
On to the nitty-gritty: I am making use of a national non-profit organization named ‘Help Hope Live (HHL)’ to raise funds that will allow me to temporarily re-locate to Salt Lake City where I will undergo a series of medical procedures [bilateral nephrectomy followed by kidney transplant] and follow-up treatments. I am also raising funds to help with the after-insurance costs associated with the procedures, follow-up treatments and medications that I will require to prevent my body from rejecting the transplanted organ.
I am using the non-profit HHL to help with these fundraising efforts for two reasons: first, any donations you provide thereby become tax-deductible. HHL will immediately supply documentation for your tax-purposes via email upon the provision of any donations; second, by routing your donations through HHL I will not incur tax penalties for any donations received. I will supply invoices for qualified expenses to HHL and they will pay providers directly on my behalf. If you would like to learn more about what constitutes ‘qualified medical expenses’ you can find this information at helphopelive.org.
Finally, please feel free to reach out to me at any point with questions or comments. (406) 317-1640 (home); (406) 317-2194 (cell); tschehl@hotmail.com (email).
For more information about Help Hope Live, contact them at 1.800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
With love and gratitude,
Tim
9/17/20: Holy shit ya'll. Thank you. I don't know what to say. Thank you for your generosity, compassion, communications, and support during this time of transition.
9/10/20: Begin Fundraising Campaign
mid-October: Relocate to Salt Lake City, First Surgery, Bilateral Nephrectomy
mid-November: Second Surgery, Organ Transplant
Goal: Return to Missoula in January. Begin Rehabilitation
Goal: Begin training for Sandan Rank in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu
Goal: Complete PhD in American Studies
Goal: Find Job w/ insurance.
Loading Images
Wishing you all the best. Glad to be part of your "community."
Melissa Raak
sending ya'll lots of healing love and strength as you navigate this big big journey. xo Lizzi
lizzi juda
You are such a shining light in this dark world Tim. Please know we love you and are with you 100%. Please stay strong and healthy, we love you bro!!!!!!!
Russell Ceballos
Damn Tim, I don't know what to say. I love you, we all love you, and damn are you just the most amazing human being! Stay strong, stay safe.
Russell Ceballos
Tim,
Jamie had mentioned you'd be facing this challenge to us earlier this year... We're happy to support you, both financially and emotionally too.
Love,
Bill & Dave
William Karnoscak
I'm praying for you, Tim. You got this. Keep us posted on your progress.
Eric Haley
thanks for sharing your story Tim and asking for community support! that's a lot of strength. may you all be well. sending lots of hugs and warm dances
Anonymous
Sending you all so much love.
Hilary Schoendorf
You got this Tim! Love, Jim & Jon
Jim Miller
with metta and karuna
Sandy Engelman
I hope the surgery goes well!
Declan Lawson
We love you guys!
Thomas Schaffnit
❤️ always thinking Of and always rooting for you all.
Shelby Cunliffe
Thankful he’s going to get back his life!
And be with you all again!
Laurie Blossom Savage
Thinking of you all and supporting your journey. Know you are loved near and far by many.
Becky Douglas
Best wishes and Prayers for you and your family
James Kappel
Be well Tim and family!! All the blessings heading your way!
Sara Bond
Wishing so much goo health
Christine White Deeble
Bernice’s fam sticks together!
Anonymous
Love you guys, wish you all the best! I hope it gets what you needed soon. Sending a lot of love and light to you guys.
Anonymous
Much love to you and your family. Safe travels <3
Sarah Fielding
Sending you and your family love, healing and safety Tim! Every little bit helps, right? ☺️
Marisa Wright
Best wishes, sorry for the struggles, and glad to hear a donor was found!
Adam Idone
Much love to you and your family.
Dustin Leftridge
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Sue Harrison
Our family holds you close in our hearts, and we are sending so much love and strength. Much love from Jessie + Brett + Molly + Ezra
Jessie & Brett Schandelson
To such a safe and speedy recovery from our family to yours.
Hillary Welzenbach
These funds are on behalf of Djebe Bara. We love you all so much and support you!
Hillary Welzenbach
Sending you positive healing vibes from Missoula, Tim! You’ve got this! Missy & Deron
Melissa Kelleher
Love you guys, wishing you strength, patience, and healing.
Kate Nittinger
Sending love from Missoula!
Erin Beaudette
Love you Tam and family! ♥️
Lara Taylor
Why am I donating? I’m a retired RN and know what incredible stress is on you and your family. Whenever I visit Missoula, Bernice’s Bakery is my go to place. The staff is great and I know that your wife works hard and with your illness, she will be taking on an increasing amount of stress. Knowing that people care, even strangers, can help in decreasing that stress.
Gail Verschoor
Barry and I are sending love and wishes for health to Tim. Blessings to Tamara, Gentian and Juniper as your family embarks on this journey to recovery. Prayers going out for you all! xxo Dorothy
Dorothy Morrison
Sending you well wishes for a speedy recovery Tim!
Elisabeth Davies
Much love to the family
Sarah Anderson
Sending light & love to you Tim & Tamara during this difficult journey!
Singing this song alot for many reasons & it seems apropos for this.
I believe in the Good Things A Coming- Nahko Bear & Medicine for the People!
DeAndria Gutzmer
It takes a village!
Gary Longsine
Tim you beautiful soul! Best Wishes and lots of Love on this adventure into a new Life.
Keesha and John
Wish you the best, Tim!
Laura Schehl
Tim and Tamara, we’re rooting for you!
Anonymous
Hey Tim--Jer's stepdad had a heart transplant in SLC year ago and received wonderful care there. Wishing the very best for you and your whole fam.
Tessa Keller
Dear Tim ~ I’m sending you love and positive energy. I know your Mom is watching out for you too. I have you and all of your family in my heart....love,Diane
Diane Christou
Best of luck Tim, we are sending love to the 4 of you. Also your kids are too damn cute!!
April Verboven
Sending you and your family all the whirling rainbows we can from over here in Olympia! Luck, love and rainbows be with you on your way
Shelly, Anton & Golden Seder
Best of luck and God Bless as you embark on what will surely be a difficult journey. My family will continue to keep you in our prayers. Wishing you health and happiness, and I hope the outpouring of love you feel from friends worldwide is a blessing that brings boundless hope of a bright future!
Dale Wellee
Increscunt animi, virescit volnere virtus
Matthew Schehl
Blessed Be Tim.
Anonymous
Prayers and happy thoughts go out to you, Tim.
Regina Harr
Good luck, Tim! Sending positive vibes your way, my friend.
John Pascarella
Sending you love and strength!
Courtney Sowa
Big love from Colin and I. We miss you seeing and chatting with you. ❤
Kim Spurzem
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Tim Schehl
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.
Subscribe to this campaign to receive updates.
Accessibility for all: Helping people connect with who and what matters most
Building leading-edge mobility products
One of the largest mobility dealers in the U.S.
Consult with specially-trained pharmacists, get your medications for pickup or delivery and more
All news, and all that matters to you
Your first step to optimized communications
The event for the disability community
Born to connect, empower and inspire the rare disease community.
A mobility dealer for wheelchair accessible vehicles and adaptive equipment