We need your help.

My wife has a chronic, disabling heart condition and recently went through a major surgery. Laid off in July, I have been unsuccessful in finding a job and I'm currently being denied unemployment due to inter-state claim issues. Our savings are quickly running out and we need your help.

We need a bare minimum of $4000 a month to cover medical expenses, rent, utilities, and food. Thanks to everyone who has donated so far, we were able to pay rent for December and our overdue medical insurance bill from October. We only have 30 days to pay November's insurance bill or we will lose our coverage.

My wife's condition makes that fact a potential life and death emergency.

If we lose our medical insurance, it will be almost impossible to get coverage due to my wife's existing condition. Rachel has an implanted pacemaker / defibrillator that essentially keeps her alive. She has to have surgery every few years to replace the battery, and it would be impossible to pay for that without medical insurance. I can't bear to think of the consequences.

I'm sharing this because I trust you.

I've contacted almost everyone I know as part of my efforts. Some of you remember me as a long-haired teenager. Some served with me in the Gulf War, and some remember me as a singer/songwriter. Most of you probably know me as a programmer, manager, or technology director. Some of my newest friends only know of me as an active member of the iOS music community. Hopefully all of you know me as a passionate, empathetic, caring person who enjoys helping others in whatever way I can.

Now, unfortunately, it's my turn to ask for help.

Over the past 15 years, working in corporate America has slowly and painfully broken me, taking my health and happiness while demanding the heights of my mental and creative potential. As a programmer, manager, architect and technical director, I have given myself willingly, putting in unimaginable hours, sometimes over a 100 hours a week, to build things that felt meaningful and important at the time. Now I look back and much of what I've built is gone, carelessly discarded, shut down, or abandoned.

With very little time left over for personal pursuits, my dreams and passions have taken a back seat to the needs and demands of my employers. While an artist and musician at heart, the demands of my career forced me to go years without creating anything lasting or meaningful.

I have now developed a condition called Tardy Ulnar Palsy or Ulnar Nerve Entrapment, which causes pain, weakness and numbness in my arms and hands. I fear my physical condition prevents me from continuing to work at a computer 12 to 16 hours a day.

I've given up so much, and now there's not much left to give.

Something has to change.

On November 5th, I launched Apptronica, a place for the iOS music community to share their music, along with a digital record label featuring the top iOS musicians in the world. As part of the launch, I also announced a new digital magazine for iOS musicians that will launch in early December on the Apple Newsstand, with contributions from some of the top experts in iOS music today.

But this isn't just about building a business to support me and my family.

Over the past few months I've been involved in emergency fundraising efforts for two other members of the community. These are passionate folks who have inspired and helped many others who found themselves in situations very like the one Rachel and I face now. A big part of my decision and drive to build this business came from wanting to give these folks an opportunity to get something back for all that they give. Both of those folks are now part of the team helping to make this happen, and like all of the artists and content contributors involved, any money made from their music or articles will flow directly to them.

Many of the app developers making innovative music production apps make next to nothing for the countless hours spent on their labors of love. When I asked these folks to help with one of the fundraisers, they graciously donated almost $1200 worth of promo codes to give away in return for donations. I want to help them, and other indie developers, by increasing visibility of their apps and iOS music to those hundreds of millions of folks who have no idea we exist.

I have a solid business plan for building Apptronica into a successful company. I have all of the skills, experience, talent, and relationships to make it work. I will be doing the things I am most passionate about and helping others do the same.

I want to be able to support my family again - and with your help, I will.

While I am admittedly saddened by the demise of my technology management career due to my health condition, I am grateful to have gained valuable experience and knowledge related to technology and business. I am also grateful to have worked with so many great folks who have inspired and taught me so much over the years. And it is because of that knowledge and experience in business, coupled with my expertise and passion for iOS music, that I am uniquely qualified to build Apptronica into a successful business.

What I need now is time, and by time, I mean money to survive until the business can sustain itself. I need to make sure that my wife has medical insurance, that we have a house and food, and that all of the little expenses of getting a business going don't become obstacles that can't be overcome.

I'm asking for your help because I can't do this without you.

Every penny really helps.

I chose FundRazr because unlike other platforms, your generous donations go directly to us and help right away. But I'm not just asking for money, I'm asking you to be part of our lives, to participate in our success. Whether you donate a dollar or a thousand dollars, or even if you're unable to donate at all, I'm grateful that you've cared enough to read this story and share it with others. No matter what happens, that means the world to me.

Thank you.