Ernest sent a message to James Goodnight CEO, SAS Institute – email address that said:
Hello Mr. Goodnight,
My name is Ernest, I am a U.S. Army Veteran and single father living in Cary, NC. I have read a lot of about you and have read you are one of the greatest philanthropists in NC's history. In recent months I have come upon the hardest time in my life and even sending this message makes me swallow my pride in a way that hurts almost as much as my chronic pain. While in the military I suffered several injuries that have lead to the diagnosis of having degenerative disc disease as well as multiple herniated discs, and arthritis in my hips and knees(I was an airborne infantryman, Ranger then 82nd). After being injured it was my choice to attempt to continue to serve(it was the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom) and after not being able to perform my life was threatened by my immediate supervisor, my team leader. Due to the rest of my chain of command my pleas for help were rejected so I made the bad choice of going AWOL, a decision that still brings me personal shame. Instead of trouble, the Army requested I take a general discharge that resulted in having no benefits. After which, I worked and paid all of my own medical bills until this past March when my doctor finally deemed me unfit for work. Now i am in the process of filing for Social Security Disability, which is promising, but is taking time. All of my savings have been spent, my possessions have been sold, and have hit rock bottom and cannot pay my medical expenses or living expenses. The resources in Wake County are not vast, but Dorcas Ministries has given me a blessing, in which unfortunately they can only do once. I will do anything including a loan until my benefits are active for any kind of help you can give sir. Thank you for listening and God bless!
Ernest
