Note: I am updating you on the status this urgent plea for the benefit of those who didn’t see it previously, and also to thank those of you who so generously donated money to the cause. If you have already read this post, previously sent a donation, or you’re just tired of hearing about my problems, feel free to ignore this post.

Here is the original message:

I make this request with great reluctance and a heavy heart.

First a bit of history: Several years ago, I made a public appeal for donations to help to sister-in-law and her family survive the onslaught of legal harassment from a vengeful woman. While many of you were extremely generous in your assistance, that move cost me two significant writing gigs, as the publishers in question said such an appeal was highly inappropriate. I also lost a few friends in the process for similar reasons.

Although their legal ordeal has persisted all these years, and expected resolutions have been repeatedly dashed, they expect everything to be successfully resolved this year.

That takes us to my own situation. In recent months, my glorious wife Barbara, who has stuck with me despite the setbacks for 33 years, had corneal transplant and cataract surgery in both her eyes. More recently, I’ve had a painful surgical procedure and I still require extensive dental work, postponed for years simply because the costs are high and dental insurance just isn’t available for small companies. I have most of my teeth, but eating is usually painful.

Our health insurance carrier has fought the payments for the recent surgeries tooth and nail, and tried twice to cancel our coverage. Even though they paid some of the bills, we have thousands and thousands of dollars in copays and deductibles left, which has utterly devastated our finances.

Unfortunately, we don’t have a large family. In addition to my wife’s sister, few remain. There are no other siblings, parents, aunts or uncles. My son, Grayson, reached out to other family members last summer in order to prepare a family tree, with limited success. Our circle of close friends is small, and other sources of funding, such as bank loans, government assistance and so on and so forth are just not available in any decent amount.

I’ve been creative in raising cash. Recently I sold my Mac Pro and 30-inch display, replacing it with a 27-inch iMac. Since payments on the new computer are not due to start for six months, I was able to use the proceeds to cover more immediate needs.

So I am returning once again to my extended family, you readers and listeners who have followed me loyally all these years, in the hope that you can help provide donations and even loans to keep us afloat. Understand that our prospects for the future remain solid. This site has been active for a decade, our tech radio show is in its eighth year and the paranormal show concludes its fourth year in February of 2010.

If you have stayed with me so far and you’re able to help, please consider a PayPal donation. You can use this direct link to our PayPal Donation page or email us via the Contact Us link at the top of this page. If you’re not into using PayPal, we can accept a direct wire transfer to a bank account as well, so please contact us for the details. And, if you can somehow bankroll the entire amount, we’ll work out a generous loan agreement.

I realize that most of you have your own family and financial difficulties to confront, so I am not expecting a large response from this request. However, if you are able to assist we will be eternally grateful. And please accept my sincere wishes for a healthy and happy 2010.

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This article was posted on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 6:30 AM and is filed under News .