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Keep Karolak Family in Their Home

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Hi, my name is Jennifer and the three children in the photo are mine. I adopted them as a single parent from China. When they were adopted I had a great job at LexisNexis and was easily able to care very well for them.

I developed a connective tissue disease in 2006 that is similar to multiple sclerosis.  I continued to work at Lexis until 2012 due to a significant deterioration in my health and the inability to do my job. I worked an additional two years from Build-A-Bear to MetLife, trying to stay in the workforce any way I could.

I started using  a cane in 2006 and have progressed to using either two canes or a wheelchair to get around as my condition continues to deteriorate. I have chronic pain, muscle spasms and fatigue that make it almost impossible to do basic chores at home. I often fall trying to complete the simplest of tasks. My children have taken on all the work at home to try to lessen the physical burden on me.

In the last two years I required a PIC line (a semi-permanent IV) be inserted to deliver medication to lessen severe leg spasms and muscle pain. I also had an in-home nurse visiting me weekly to care for my PIC line and assess my status. In addition, I now have cord flattening in my cervical spine as shown by MRI's that have worsened my gait and pain in my legs, as well as having started to affect my fine motor control in my hands.

I applied for Social Security Disability in 2015 but the process is incredibly lengthy and there is at least a year until I may be approved. I have used all of my retirement money and pension to meet our needs. Six months ago we lost our home to foreclosure as I could not afford the payments. We have lived in an apartment in Kettering since then. By the end of May we will be homeless and I desperately want to keep my children from living in a shelter and I want to keep us together as a family.

I am seeking to raise $5,150 which will go to our rent for the next year. I would be incredibly grateful if you could help us with a donation. We love the Kettering community and the schools my children have been fortunate to attend.

Once I receive my Disability Benefits, we want to create a fund for other Kettering School families who may be experiencing a similar situation. My family firmly believes in paying forward the kindness others show to us. Not only would your donation help us but it will continue to benefit people in our community.

Please if you can donate even a small amount it will make such a difference in our lives. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $100
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer

Jennifer Karolak
Organizer
Dayton, OH

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