Hello

My name is Marco, I’m 41 years old and I’m from Graz (Austria/Styria)

Until the end of last year, I worked for the City of Graz, helping with house clearances and removals.

I’d already had four nervous breakdowns before that; I didn’t think much of it and carried on working, but I noticed that I was getting weaker and weaker.

Then, on 6 January this year, I had an acute heart attack at home after dinner; I managed to call the emergency services myself (no idea how), lost consciousness, and after one round of CPR, I woke up in hospital with three stents in my heart.

The heart attack was triggered by the nervous breakdowns, the stress, the depression, an unhealthy diet and too much smoking.

The result: an acute anterior wall heart attack, which caused a large amount of heart muscle tissue to die, leaving my cardiac output at around 41%.

Three weeks ago I came out of rehab, where I learnt a lot about healthy eating, exercise and, above all, how to cope with it all now.

Now I want... or rather, I have to start my new life. I’m STILL living in a 23m² flat – it’s uncomfortable, there’s no space, and above all, I want to get out of the city; it’s all too much for me, and I need the peace and quiet to avoid stress as much as possible.

I’ve now lost my job, as I can’t carry heavy furniture anymore, of course,

Yet, fate FINALLY smiled on me today.

This afternoon, the landlord of the flat I viewed four days ago got in touch, and I’m getting it – 50m²... loooads of space I’ll be getting the keys as early as Thursday, Yippee! (A photo of the new flat is attached.)

As if that weren’t enough, 20 minutes later a social welfare organisation rang me – they’d heard my story and are desperate to meet me; they’re looking for people with limitations or disabilities for light and enjoyable work... WOW. What a DAY

Because of my heart failure, my heart is still pounding like crazy .

So now to my actual request.

As I am now starting my new life in a lovely, spacious new flat, I have decided to leave my old life behind. Apart from a few things to wear, the TV, PC and laptop... everything else is going.

Hence my request to you lovely people: I’m asking for donations, as I’ll be buying everything brand new from scratch.

From furniture, clothes, kitchen appliances, flowers, etc., etc.

Thank you very much in advance for your help and love. Best wishes from Graz.

Marco