Gregg's Healing & Recovery Time
Donation protected
Gregg Hammond's Health Recovery Fundraiser
Quick version: The most important details are in the first two paragraphs. It's personal and revealing. I appreciate that you have taken time from your day to read this, share this, and take an action that feels true for you.
This fundraiser is for me to cover my expenses for urgent dental and medical evaluation and treatment, and food and housing.
Thank you. Peace, Love, and Music, Gregg
You can help in several different ways, the first being the best for me:
1. Financial contribution. If you prefer to donate anonymously, you will see that option.
You can also use another method outside of Go Fund Me to send money. Mail a check to my dad. PayPal.
Cash App. Send me a message to get details.
2. Volunteer on social media for Global Jam 4 Peace. "Like" the official page. "Join" the Global Jam 4 Peace
3. Ambassadors group. Like, comment and share posts to/from the page or to/from the group.
4. Prayers of gratitude as if it's "positively/abundantly resolved."
5. Accept a gift from me; one of my books in PDF form.
6. If you're a musician/band do a fundraiser show.
7. If you're a musician/band do a cover version of The Peace Anthem (Set Me Free) in your favorite musical style and preferred key. Music on the website www.globaljamforpeace.com under "Resources."
Many times I sat to write this and stopped. Part of me too ill. Part of me too sad. Part of me too embarrassed.
Part of me too stubborn. Sometimes all those at once.
But here it is, finally, with a humble and grateful "Thank You." My life has been full of blessings and beautiful experiences. IF it all ended tomorrow, it would still be okay.
Hindsight creates a struggle internally that causes me to wonder why I didn't make different choices. "Had I known then, these things I know now." Deep sigh. It can not be changed.
To everyone who has asked me to create this Go Fund Me: Your comments and messages compelled me to take this action, Thank You.
One of my mentors, Bob Proctor, adamantly says, "You should generously give and graciously receive."
It is a wise practice, of course, and I have been striving to achieve the proper balance. Another mentor, Jack Canfield, says, "you should always ask. If you don't ask the answer is always no." (YouTube Jack Canfield interviews Gregg Hammond).
I am much better at asking for help for other people, projects, and missions. Now this one is for me.
For more than a decade, I have had health challenges that I've kept private. I was intentional about healing, and through self-care methods, like exercise, diet, massage, yoga, steam sauna, meditation, fasting, power of giving and gifting, positive mental attitude, and of course music, I have probably extended my life much further than had I not done so.
That is the quick version ABOVE. The longer version, with more details, is BELOW
Studies show that people with purpose and passion can sustain a level of well being. It worked for me. Over the years, I have accomplished many things.
**Teaching people to play guitar as a professional instructor.
**Volunteering and donating: to provide instruments and mentoring to at-risk youth.
**Written and published books and articles.
**Coached people one on one and in groups to accomplish incredible goals.
**Wilderness survival skills instructor.
In 2004, in SW Washington, DC, my dad and I were violently attacked by a gang of kids. We were peacefully walking on a sidewalk with our groceries. The traumatic event inspired me to become part of a solution to reducing gang violence. I began volunteering to mentor at-risk youth using guitar and music to reach across a cultural divide.
I loved the results I was getting. The joy on faces of the youth experiencing life-changing moments inspired me. Many times I cried tears of joy witnessing miracles, as did others on our volunteer staff.
2008, I stepped into a leadership role with a new organization, with hopes of reaching more children.
I began investing personal funds in pursuit of getting on radio and television to promote the powerful results I was getting in my mentoring. I hoped that with local and national exposure, we would be able to expand to reach more deserving children. I traveled to NYC and Philadelphia for training on how to pitch a story to the media. Through this training, I connected with author Jack Canfield, visited his home in Santa Barbara, and created a promotional video. It was exciting, but consequently a rather expensive endeavor.
In 2013, my somewhat obsessive volunteering as a teacher and also running the charity doubled when the executive board requested I take on additional responsibilities. I agreed because I was deeply inspired. I pushed through exhaustion by remembering my years as a teenager on the wrong path without mentors. Knowing I had a profound impact created inspiration and ability to push even harder physically. The constant stress of the workload and responsibility increased. My balance of housing, home business, and donating an ever-increasing portion of that space for the charity was becoming more challenging to manage. My body was producing cortisol to keep me in motion. I was consuming 5-hour energy by the cases, and I didn't have an "off' button. Both ends of the candle were closing in. Frustration burned inside me as I learned the painful lessons about volunteers not following through on commitments. Seeing how this affected the children was haunting me. I worked harder and slept less.
My self-care routine diminished (by my choosing to put it "temporarily" on the back burner). I kept thinking there would be light at the end of the tunnel. Discussion of hiring staff members for the charity (instead of an all-volunteer staff) went around in circles, and my detailed proposals were repeatedly tabled. October 2015, I collapsed from exhaustion. My doctor advised I immediately discontinue any non-essential work. He advised me to stop volunteering immediately.
Heartbroken at the thought of not being able to serve the children and realizing the truth of my health, I struggled with fretful thoughts and hard decisions. Early 2016, I resigned from that particular charity program. I removed social activities to accommodate rest. I attempted to rebalance my self-care to work ratio, unfortunately with poor results. I had drained my finances and extended myself to far.
I was beyond a point of recovery without more significant changes and medical assistance. I did not have insurance and decided to do the best I could on my own.
During these months, I began writing parts of a memoir. During meditations in deep reflection of my past experiences coming together with my goals and my intuitions developed The Global Jam 4 Peace. The concept of achieving world peace using the universal language of music and recurring global symphonies grew. It linked back to my childhood vision (details in The History of The Global Jam 4 Peace). Nurturing the seeds of this vision planted decades ago and weaving in all my previous mission work was aligning in my mind. Providing musical instruments and mentoring to at-risk children around the globe and bringing them together in global symphonies singing for and about peace and love.
I intended to leverage the opportunities presented to me. I was encouraged by promised support from peers, and I took on the role of director of Make Music Day Washington DC (MMDDC), a single-day music festival. I partnered The Global Jam 4 Peace project with MMDDC.
We had great success for 2017 with two events, but the toll on my body and mind was a crushing blow. Many symptoms of poor health conditions returned and flared. My mental clarity was fogging. My ability to keep balance while standing or walking was failing. I had trouble holding objects in my hands. My ability to move my fingers to play guitar diminished. My eyesight often blurred. Migraine headaches with visual auras affected me repeatedly. Daily a variety of muscle spasms throughout my body. Sharp pains throughout my entire flared without warning. I limped through our June 21st, 2018 MMD/GJ4P and never recovered. I began canceling work appointments — my ability to read and type diminished. I couldn't stay awake for very long. Loss of ability to focus or concentrate slowed my daily function. I experienced labored breathing and shortness of breath. I need to have a full and thorough diagnosis. Based on research and discussions; Multiple Sclerosis is probable. There is a cyst on my spine that I need to have diagnosed. I have a tooth that needs to Itbe extracted. A few years back, my dentist wanted to do a partial rebuild and intended using that tooth. All of it has been pending me figuring out how to pay for it.
A slow-moving and agonizing legal challenge regarding my residential and home business pushed me into a corner. My attorney passed unexpectedly. Physical and mental fatigue drained me, and it was complicated to define my best options clearly. In as best I could do to resolve my situation and condition, I haphazardly I sold a few things and gave away as much as I could. I abandoned the rest, leaving with only two suitcases.
I embarked to an environment that has an abundance of fresh air, sunshine, cooler temps, and a private room. I have a couple of friends close by to check on me. I will need to arrange for medical treatment soon. I do not have insurance. I used all savings and credit lines to get through the past years.
For eight weeks, I have been resting with a goal to regain enough physical stamina, through lots of rest, natural surroundings, fresh air. The birds, frogs, and insects in their daily chorus are uplifting. Rain falls — the sound of the water upon many surfaces, dense or soft — a symphony of falling water. I am better, but I know there is a long way to go.
Out of failures come opportunities to rise with experiences and information to fuel new success.
I have shared parts of the story of my life through writings and interviews. I have two books, in PDF format, that I can share with you through email, and you can, in turn, share with someone else. Doing so will help carry my inspiring message around the globe.
After I regain my health and achieve balance in my life again, I will complete my memoir, but not until then.
Thank you.
Peace, Love, and Music,
Gregg
Quick version: The most important details are in the first two paragraphs. It's personal and revealing. I appreciate that you have taken time from your day to read this, share this, and take an action that feels true for you.
This fundraiser is for me to cover my expenses for urgent dental and medical evaluation and treatment, and food and housing.
Thank you. Peace, Love, and Music, Gregg
You can help in several different ways, the first being the best for me:
1. Financial contribution. If you prefer to donate anonymously, you will see that option.
You can also use another method outside of Go Fund Me to send money. Mail a check to my dad. PayPal.
Cash App. Send me a message to get details.
2. Volunteer on social media for Global Jam 4 Peace. "Like" the official page. "Join" the Global Jam 4 Peace
3. Ambassadors group. Like, comment and share posts to/from the page or to/from the group.
4. Prayers of gratitude as if it's "positively/abundantly resolved."
5. Accept a gift from me; one of my books in PDF form.
6. If you're a musician/band do a fundraiser show.
7. If you're a musician/band do a cover version of The Peace Anthem (Set Me Free) in your favorite musical style and preferred key. Music on the website www.globaljamforpeace.com under "Resources."
Many times I sat to write this and stopped. Part of me too ill. Part of me too sad. Part of me too embarrassed.
Part of me too stubborn. Sometimes all those at once.
But here it is, finally, with a humble and grateful "Thank You." My life has been full of blessings and beautiful experiences. IF it all ended tomorrow, it would still be okay.
Hindsight creates a struggle internally that causes me to wonder why I didn't make different choices. "Had I known then, these things I know now." Deep sigh. It can not be changed.
To everyone who has asked me to create this Go Fund Me: Your comments and messages compelled me to take this action, Thank You.
One of my mentors, Bob Proctor, adamantly says, "You should generously give and graciously receive."
It is a wise practice, of course, and I have been striving to achieve the proper balance. Another mentor, Jack Canfield, says, "you should always ask. If you don't ask the answer is always no." (YouTube Jack Canfield interviews Gregg Hammond).
I am much better at asking for help for other people, projects, and missions. Now this one is for me.
For more than a decade, I have had health challenges that I've kept private. I was intentional about healing, and through self-care methods, like exercise, diet, massage, yoga, steam sauna, meditation, fasting, power of giving and gifting, positive mental attitude, and of course music, I have probably extended my life much further than had I not done so.
That is the quick version ABOVE. The longer version, with more details, is BELOW
Studies show that people with purpose and passion can sustain a level of well being. It worked for me. Over the years, I have accomplished many things.
**Teaching people to play guitar as a professional instructor.
**Volunteering and donating: to provide instruments and mentoring to at-risk youth.
**Written and published books and articles.
**Coached people one on one and in groups to accomplish incredible goals.
**Wilderness survival skills instructor.
In 2004, in SW Washington, DC, my dad and I were violently attacked by a gang of kids. We were peacefully walking on a sidewalk with our groceries. The traumatic event inspired me to become part of a solution to reducing gang violence. I began volunteering to mentor at-risk youth using guitar and music to reach across a cultural divide.
I loved the results I was getting. The joy on faces of the youth experiencing life-changing moments inspired me. Many times I cried tears of joy witnessing miracles, as did others on our volunteer staff.
2008, I stepped into a leadership role with a new organization, with hopes of reaching more children.
I began investing personal funds in pursuit of getting on radio and television to promote the powerful results I was getting in my mentoring. I hoped that with local and national exposure, we would be able to expand to reach more deserving children. I traveled to NYC and Philadelphia for training on how to pitch a story to the media. Through this training, I connected with author Jack Canfield, visited his home in Santa Barbara, and created a promotional video. It was exciting, but consequently a rather expensive endeavor.
In 2013, my somewhat obsessive volunteering as a teacher and also running the charity doubled when the executive board requested I take on additional responsibilities. I agreed because I was deeply inspired. I pushed through exhaustion by remembering my years as a teenager on the wrong path without mentors. Knowing I had a profound impact created inspiration and ability to push even harder physically. The constant stress of the workload and responsibility increased. My balance of housing, home business, and donating an ever-increasing portion of that space for the charity was becoming more challenging to manage. My body was producing cortisol to keep me in motion. I was consuming 5-hour energy by the cases, and I didn't have an "off' button. Both ends of the candle were closing in. Frustration burned inside me as I learned the painful lessons about volunteers not following through on commitments. Seeing how this affected the children was haunting me. I worked harder and slept less.
My self-care routine diminished (by my choosing to put it "temporarily" on the back burner). I kept thinking there would be light at the end of the tunnel. Discussion of hiring staff members for the charity (instead of an all-volunteer staff) went around in circles, and my detailed proposals were repeatedly tabled. October 2015, I collapsed from exhaustion. My doctor advised I immediately discontinue any non-essential work. He advised me to stop volunteering immediately.
Heartbroken at the thought of not being able to serve the children and realizing the truth of my health, I struggled with fretful thoughts and hard decisions. Early 2016, I resigned from that particular charity program. I removed social activities to accommodate rest. I attempted to rebalance my self-care to work ratio, unfortunately with poor results. I had drained my finances and extended myself to far.
I was beyond a point of recovery without more significant changes and medical assistance. I did not have insurance and decided to do the best I could on my own.
During these months, I began writing parts of a memoir. During meditations in deep reflection of my past experiences coming together with my goals and my intuitions developed The Global Jam 4 Peace. The concept of achieving world peace using the universal language of music and recurring global symphonies grew. It linked back to my childhood vision (details in The History of The Global Jam 4 Peace). Nurturing the seeds of this vision planted decades ago and weaving in all my previous mission work was aligning in my mind. Providing musical instruments and mentoring to at-risk children around the globe and bringing them together in global symphonies singing for and about peace and love.
I intended to leverage the opportunities presented to me. I was encouraged by promised support from peers, and I took on the role of director of Make Music Day Washington DC (MMDDC), a single-day music festival. I partnered The Global Jam 4 Peace project with MMDDC.
We had great success for 2017 with two events, but the toll on my body and mind was a crushing blow. Many symptoms of poor health conditions returned and flared. My mental clarity was fogging. My ability to keep balance while standing or walking was failing. I had trouble holding objects in my hands. My ability to move my fingers to play guitar diminished. My eyesight often blurred. Migraine headaches with visual auras affected me repeatedly. Daily a variety of muscle spasms throughout my body. Sharp pains throughout my entire flared without warning. I limped through our June 21st, 2018 MMD/GJ4P and never recovered. I began canceling work appointments — my ability to read and type diminished. I couldn't stay awake for very long. Loss of ability to focus or concentrate slowed my daily function. I experienced labored breathing and shortness of breath. I need to have a full and thorough diagnosis. Based on research and discussions; Multiple Sclerosis is probable. There is a cyst on my spine that I need to have diagnosed. I have a tooth that needs to Itbe extracted. A few years back, my dentist wanted to do a partial rebuild and intended using that tooth. All of it has been pending me figuring out how to pay for it.
A slow-moving and agonizing legal challenge regarding my residential and home business pushed me into a corner. My attorney passed unexpectedly. Physical and mental fatigue drained me, and it was complicated to define my best options clearly. In as best I could do to resolve my situation and condition, I haphazardly I sold a few things and gave away as much as I could. I abandoned the rest, leaving with only two suitcases.
I embarked to an environment that has an abundance of fresh air, sunshine, cooler temps, and a private room. I have a couple of friends close by to check on me. I will need to arrange for medical treatment soon. I do not have insurance. I used all savings and credit lines to get through the past years.
For eight weeks, I have been resting with a goal to regain enough physical stamina, through lots of rest, natural surroundings, fresh air. The birds, frogs, and insects in their daily chorus are uplifting. Rain falls — the sound of the water upon many surfaces, dense or soft — a symphony of falling water. I am better, but I know there is a long way to go.
Out of failures come opportunities to rise with experiences and information to fuel new success.
I have shared parts of the story of my life through writings and interviews. I have two books, in PDF format, that I can share with you through email, and you can, in turn, share with someone else. Doing so will help carry my inspiring message around the globe.
After I regain my health and achieve balance in my life again, I will complete my memoir, but not until then.
Thank you.
Peace, Love, and Music,
Gregg
Organizer
Greggory Hammond
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
