Navy Vet in Need: Overcoming Loss, Isolation, and Hard Times

Navy Vet in Need: Overcoming Loss, Isolation, and Hard Times

From Mark Kiessling

I am trying to raise money to help my financial situation in 2019 my entire family passed away including me, I was revived. When my wife's father died it broke her, and she just walked out of my life. I'm all alone now..

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Update #2

about 1 month ago

I recently discovered that my wife left me for a man named Mark in Tampa. She had been cheating on me at night when she claimed to be outside using her telescopes. I found one unopened pregnancy test and another empty wrapper, which confirmed my suspicions. I also have evidence of her emptying our joint bank account in Tampa, Florida, and I’ve even seen public posts where he acknowledges that they will now have all the time in the world to be together.

More Info

Introduction:

Hi, my name is Mark. I’m a disabled Navy veteran and a retired Guardian Angel of 20 years. I’ve spent my life serving others—protecting my community in places like Southern California, Chicago, and Miami. But now, I find myself in desperate need of help. I never thought I’d be in this position, but life has taken some hard turns, and I’m struggling to survive out here, 40 miles from the nearest hospital, in a wheelchair, with no family left and no friends nearby. I’m not just asking for myself, but for the little ones who depend on me too—my beloved rescue cats: Bubba, Spookie, Luna, Bella, Henery, Cheech, Chong, Casper, Elisa, and Spice.

My Cats:

These cats are more than just animals; they are my family. Most of them were rescues, saved from being shot by local drunks. Now, with limited food, I find myself cutting my own meals short just to make sure they can eat. They’ve been with me through some of my darkest moments, and I can't bear the thought of losing them. I can’t afford to take them to the vet, and they deserve better than the life I can currently give them. They’re suffering too, and it breaks my heart every day.

My Journey:

In 2010, I left everything to care for my parents when my father needed heart surgery. After years of taking care of them, my father passed away in 2018, following a medical mistake that caused his kidneys to fail. Not long after, my dog, Juice, passed away. And when I returned to Arkansas, my family took everything my father had left me and sold it all. They removed me from the will because I was adopted, leaving me with nothing.

As I focused on caring for my family, I neglected my own health. I developed a serious infection in my foot that resulted in an amputation. During surgery, my heart stopped for 34 seconds. They managed to revive me, but I spent months fighting off the infection and struggling with my own health.

Homelessness and Heartbreak:

After my mother passed, my wife and I became homeless. We moved several times, trying to start over, but my health kept deteriorating. I was no longer able to work full-time, and our financial situation became unbearable. When we moved to Oklahoma, I thought things might improve, but in the middle of all of this, my wife left me. She walked out after a decade together, taking everything we had saved. Now, I’m trying to hold on by myself, but I’m barely scraping by.

Why I Need Help:

  • My wife cleaned out our savings, leaving me with no financial cushion.
  • To keep my van, I need $600 a month for payments and insurance. Without it, I have no way to get to my doctors or anywhere else.
  • Vet bills and cat food for my rescue cats are beyond my means right now, and their well-being is at risk.
  • I only receive $52 a month in food stamps, and I use half of that to feed the cats, leaving very little for myself. This is hurting my own health, but I can’t let them starve.
  • I need gas for my van. It takes over three hours for an ambulance to get to me, and I’m not exaggerating. If something happens to me and I don’t have gas or a working vehicle, it could end my life.
  • Pest control is critical. My wife left the house in such bad shape that it’s nearly a biohazard. There’s a flea infestation, and I fear for my health if I can’t get it under control.

What I’m Asking:

I’m reaching out for help—not just for myself, but for my cats, who have been my constant companions and my reason for getting out of bed every day. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help me survive. Whether it’s to keep my van running, buy food for myself and my cats, or pay for pest control, it will make a difference. Right now, I’m alone, without family or friends, and I can’t do this without your help.

Final Words:

This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do—asking for help. But I have no other options. I’ve spent my life serving others, whether it was in the Navy, as a Guardian Angel, or as an IT professional. Now, I’m reaching out in the hope that someone will hear me, will feel the weight of my struggles, and will help me get back on my feet. Even if you can’t donate, please share my story. Thank you for taking the time to read this. It means more than you know.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

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Help Mark raise $5,000 by making a donation.

Mark Kiessling posted a new update:
about 1 month ago

Update #2

I recently discovered that my wife left me for a man named Mark in Tampa. She had been cheating on me at night when she claimed to be outside using her telescopes. I found one unopened pregnancy test and another empty wrapper, which confirmed my suspicions. I also have evidence of her emptying our joint bank account in Tampa, Florida, and I’ve even seen public posts where he acknowledges that they will now have all the time in the world to be together.

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Mark Kiessling posted a new update:
3 months ago

Update #1

Whether or not you're able to donate, thank you so much for visiting my page. If you can find it in your heart, please share this link. This is a very real situation for me, and I'm truly scared for what the future holds. God bless you, and thank you for your kindness.

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