The skipper of The Warden could use a helping hand
Jim Ward, author or co-author of the following games: Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes (The 4th Supp. to D&D), Metamorphosis Alpha (The first sci-fi RPG, for TSR), Gamma World (post-apocalyptic RPG, for TSR), Dragon Lairds (a boardgame with Tom Wham), Spellfire and Dragon Ball Z (CCGs), as well as more than a dozen other games and game-aids, former editor of Crusader Magazine for Troll Lord Games, one of the original players in the original Greyhawk campaign, author of The Pool of Radiance and Halcyon Blaithe-Midship Wizard and just all around nice guy and creative madman, is ill. Very ill. He has had to cancel appearances at several cons to which he was invited since last spring.
He has been diagnosed, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, with a serious neurological disorder. The gaming world came close to saying goodbye to yet another of the pioneers of RPGing several months ago. The experts say that Jim's condition is treatable and manageable, but will remain very serious forever.
Jim is very, very slowly recovering; every day is a new skirmmish with the disorder. He still suffers from acute bouts of dizziness and a pervasive lassitude due to bodily energy issues.
While Jim and his family are fortunate to have some health insurance, the co-pays are mounting at an alarming rate, having hit five digits some while ago and showing no signs of abating any time soon.
While we can't make Jim well, perhaps we can alleviate some of his financial worries and remove some of the burden from his family. I hope you can help my friend of 35 years in his most low-down time.
Tim Kask
Founding editor of Dragon, Little Wars and Adventure Gaming magazines, Jim's friend
Aug. 2011 Update
The many doctors Jim has been seeing have gotten a handle on his symptoms and begun what appears to be an effiective course of palliative treatment. Jim has responded well; most days he has his energy level back near where it used to be, but still has the occasional day where simply making it to breakfast is an ordeal. That's the good news.
The bad news is that he is facing having a pacemaker implanted. Can't find those on e-Bay. There is also something that is compromising his immune system and blood cell production. He is much better than he was, but nowhere near out of the woods yet, and facing yet more medical bills.
If you have been thinking about it, please do. If you have have already been generous, thank you. I have shared a great many of your comments with Jim. Know that they have given him great comfort and inspiration. Jim says that they have been humbling as well.