Connecting For Help

http://www.gofundme.com/q26daa
My name is Timothy Carnahan. I am an avid reader, writer, photographer, and nature enthusiast. I love life and I try to find the good in every day that I am alive. We live in a wonderful world with great people.

As a child, my dream was to become a pilot for the United States Air Force. I pursued my dreams diligenty to follow in my great-grandfather, grand father, and uncle's foot steps. I craved the freedom of the sky and the ability to truly be an asset to our nation for our people. I will never be able to pursue this dream. I am an epileptic.

When I was fifteen, I was jumped by three students in my high school while attempting to protect a mentally handicapped friend of mine. He was a wonderful kid and he didn't deserve the treatment he was receiving. This was before the 'zero tolerance' standard for students and very few would stand up to protect those less fortunate. I was beaten badly and I ended up having the first gran-mal seizure of my life three days later. I was asked to take some time off of school by the principal, not as a punishment rather, as protection for other students until my seizures were under medical control. I accepted home schooling for three months until I turned sixteen and then opted to take my GED. Afterwards, I attended Central Oregon Community College seeking my degree in psychology. I managed a year with my grandmother's financial help however, she passed soon after I turned seventeen and I couldn't afford to continue my studies.

After several years of employment, In 2009 I opted for financial aid to continue my studies further at Central Oregon Community College. I changed my major to Computers and Information Systems. I maintained a 3.5 grade average and attended my classes impeccably. I was on the fast track to success but, finances became incredibly tight and I had to seek employment. I attemtped to maintain my schooling while working however, the demands of my position required so much of my attention that I had to put my academic career on hold. I held my position over a year and managed to keep my seizures under relative control however, I ended up having a seizure while at work and was laid off due to "the position being eliminated" a week later.

In 2011, I focused on odd jobs and other means of employment until I was hired by Taco Bell in Bend, Oregon. I was treated very well and received many accolades during my employment with the company. Managers and staff worked with my epilepsy and ensured that I was given fair treatment despite my disorder. I left the company in January of 2015 to pursue a career in sales however, the industry didn't work out.

Currently, I am looking for employment but, in order to acheive any position that can truly provide me with a career and a future, I need a degree. I cannot go back to school at this point due to my financial status and I cannot afford to take out more student loans.

I know that I need an education to succeed especially with my disability. I need to be able to maintain regular hours in order to control my disorder as effectively as possible. I need to be able to become indispensable in order to have a real life. I don't want to accept Social Security as I am still young and have much to offer the world. I want to work, I want a future, and I want to be productive. ANYTHING HELPS and, should I meet my financial goals (or come close to them), I will be able to obtain my Associates Degree within six months and pursue a Bachelors Degree to be finished in mid to late 2016.

Utilizing a web donation center (gofundme) I am attempting to return to college so I can get a real career and beat this disability.  Although I feel awkward asking for it, I need help.  Thank you for reading my story and contact me any time with questions, comments, or concerns through Epilepsy.com or the Go Fund Me website.
http://www.gofundme.com/q26daa