Chris's 5-Month No Income Fund
Donation protected
I am Patricia Fargen, mother of Chris Fargen. I am setting up this fund for my son, Chris, who just turned 48 in August. Chris is no longer able to work and now needs to go on disability. Typically, before anyone can begin to receive any disability benefits, they must be unemployed for at least five months - usually longer. In the meantime, during this time, monthly bills still need to be paid ($1,000/month).
In March of 2014 Chris started noticing balance issues and slurred speech. His Dr. at St. Mary's sent him to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. In Nov. of 2014, after extensive tests, his diagnosis was Multiple Systematic Ataxia. MSA is a very rare disease that is similar to Parkinsons but without the tremors. Very little is known about the disease and at this point there is no cure or even much for treatment. The disease attacks the part of the brain which controls balance and the larger muscles and speech. Currently to be understood he has to speak very slowly. He is not in a wheelcair yet but needs to be very careful about falling. He also has extremely low blood pressure so getting up or moving quickly can cause him to pass out which has caused at least one black eye so far. At the time of his diagnosis, they also found that Chris has Celiac's disease (gluten allergy) so his gluten free foods are much more expensive than your "normal" food.
Chris was employed at the VA hopspital in Madison. The job he was hired for was in maintenance and he knew when he took the job that his income would not meet his needs, but he took the job anyway with the hopes of advancing once he "got his foot in the door". In June of 2015, Chris started taking classes to learn to administer electrocardiograms. This position would have afforded him a higher income than what he was making in maintenance. He tried very hard to make it work but the classes, regular workweek, studying, and being a Dad to 2 little girls at home under the age of 7 was more than his body could handle. He had to drop the classes and forfeit the tuition.
Chris worked as long as he was able, but his physical abilities have greatly diminished since his diagnosis in 2014 and the hopes of any employment advancements to increase his income are gone. And, he still owes his tuition for his classes, even though he had to drop out of them, as well.
If this GoFundMe campaign could help him through the time when he is waiting for disability, that would be my goal in setting this up. This disease is scary. Little is known about it. Even less is known about treatment. Now that Chris is no longer working, he has lost his Health Insurance. However, because he is a Veteran, he will receive his health care through the VA. His family - Caryn Peters, son Jaden, and daughters Emila and Denna could use your support.
Through no fault of his own, Chris is taking one day at a time and hoping that something will break through in the medical field that might at least hault this disease's progression. We are all thankful to all of you for your prayers and support.
[PS: If you'd prefer to make a donation directly (not go through GoFundMe) you can do that. Checks can be sent to me at 32779 Logan Rd, Lone Rock, WI 53556.]
In March of 2014 Chris started noticing balance issues and slurred speech. His Dr. at St. Mary's sent him to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. In Nov. of 2014, after extensive tests, his diagnosis was Multiple Systematic Ataxia. MSA is a very rare disease that is similar to Parkinsons but without the tremors. Very little is known about the disease and at this point there is no cure or even much for treatment. The disease attacks the part of the brain which controls balance and the larger muscles and speech. Currently to be understood he has to speak very slowly. He is not in a wheelcair yet but needs to be very careful about falling. He also has extremely low blood pressure so getting up or moving quickly can cause him to pass out which has caused at least one black eye so far. At the time of his diagnosis, they also found that Chris has Celiac's disease (gluten allergy) so his gluten free foods are much more expensive than your "normal" food.
Chris was employed at the VA hopspital in Madison. The job he was hired for was in maintenance and he knew when he took the job that his income would not meet his needs, but he took the job anyway with the hopes of advancing once he "got his foot in the door". In June of 2015, Chris started taking classes to learn to administer electrocardiograms. This position would have afforded him a higher income than what he was making in maintenance. He tried very hard to make it work but the classes, regular workweek, studying, and being a Dad to 2 little girls at home under the age of 7 was more than his body could handle. He had to drop the classes and forfeit the tuition.
Chris worked as long as he was able, but his physical abilities have greatly diminished since his diagnosis in 2014 and the hopes of any employment advancements to increase his income are gone. And, he still owes his tuition for his classes, even though he had to drop out of them, as well.
If this GoFundMe campaign could help him through the time when he is waiting for disability, that would be my goal in setting this up. This disease is scary. Little is known about it. Even less is known about treatment. Now that Chris is no longer working, he has lost his Health Insurance. However, because he is a Veteran, he will receive his health care through the VA. His family - Caryn Peters, son Jaden, and daughters Emila and Denna could use your support.
Through no fault of his own, Chris is taking one day at a time and hoping that something will break through in the medical field that might at least hault this disease's progression. We are all thankful to all of you for your prayers and support.
[PS: If you'd prefer to make a donation directly (not go through GoFundMe) you can do that. Checks can be sent to me at 32779 Logan Rd, Lone Rock, WI 53556.]
Organizer and beneficiary
Patricia L Fargen
Organizer
Lone Rock, WI
Chris Fargen
Beneficiary
