Surgery to Avoid Homelessness
Donation protected
Greetings friends of Sharon Rosche,
As you know, Sharon has asked us all for creative ideas to help her in her time of need. My idea was to create a gofundme campaign for her. This is not something I would think to do for someone who I thought had options. But if you read her story below, or if you have seen her lately, you know she is out of options. Please consider paying it forward and doing what you can to help a dear friend at this most critical time. This is a hurdle she can overcome, if she can just make it through the next three months!
My name is Sharon Rosche and I’m hoping you can help me because I don’t know where else to turn. Never did I imagine I would find myself in this position. I did all the “right” things to secure a strong financial future. I went to college and I’ve had a successful career leading chambers of commerce. I paid my bills, lived responsibly, and saved for the future. But now, everything is gone including my job, my home and my savings.
In 2007 I developed stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal column. My legs were constantly numb and I needed surgery, which was expensive, even with insurance. It helped a lot but 14 months later my condition returned and I needed surgery again. Ten months later – you guessed it. Horrible pain and numbness, and I needed another surgery. This was a big operation and took 8 hours. On top of the debt I’d now begun incurring from these surgeries, I was paying for physical therapy twice a week, medications, and lots of doctor visits. I was still working at this point and paying the bills as best as I could.
As luck would (not) have it, then I needed knee surgery. Amazingly, this led to really bad arthritis, which meant constant pain. I now have a permanent limp, which has altered my gait and caused bursitis in my hips and damage in my lower back. I continued to work throughout this never-ending ordeal, accepting a position in North Carolina and then Branson, MO. My knees are so bad that I’ve begun falling down. A recent fall moved an instrument in my back and the numbness has returned.
All of my health issues have led me to joblessness. I limp into job interviews but no one wants to hire me in such a state. My father, who lives on a fixed income, is my only family. I own a condo but got behind and could lose it if any payments are missed. I finally found a job but it has no benefits. I’ve tried getting on disability but it takes years. And, I’m now told I need a double knee replacement as well as an MRI on my back to determine if surgery can correct the new numbness.
I have no short-term disability and cannot take time off because I can’t pay my bills.
The latest blow? On March 1, my job is being cut to part-time. I don’t want to be a burden on society – I want to work. But I am in constant pain, in debt, and facing homelessness. I am feeling hopeless. I need money for a bilateral knee replacement, and to help pay my bills for three months while I recover and cannot work. Any help would be appreciated during this difficult time.
As you know, Sharon has asked us all for creative ideas to help her in her time of need. My idea was to create a gofundme campaign for her. This is not something I would think to do for someone who I thought had options. But if you read her story below, or if you have seen her lately, you know she is out of options. Please consider paying it forward and doing what you can to help a dear friend at this most critical time. This is a hurdle she can overcome, if she can just make it through the next three months!
My name is Sharon Rosche and I’m hoping you can help me because I don’t know where else to turn. Never did I imagine I would find myself in this position. I did all the “right” things to secure a strong financial future. I went to college and I’ve had a successful career leading chambers of commerce. I paid my bills, lived responsibly, and saved for the future. But now, everything is gone including my job, my home and my savings.
In 2007 I developed stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal column. My legs were constantly numb and I needed surgery, which was expensive, even with insurance. It helped a lot but 14 months later my condition returned and I needed surgery again. Ten months later – you guessed it. Horrible pain and numbness, and I needed another surgery. This was a big operation and took 8 hours. On top of the debt I’d now begun incurring from these surgeries, I was paying for physical therapy twice a week, medications, and lots of doctor visits. I was still working at this point and paying the bills as best as I could.
As luck would (not) have it, then I needed knee surgery. Amazingly, this led to really bad arthritis, which meant constant pain. I now have a permanent limp, which has altered my gait and caused bursitis in my hips and damage in my lower back. I continued to work throughout this never-ending ordeal, accepting a position in North Carolina and then Branson, MO. My knees are so bad that I’ve begun falling down. A recent fall moved an instrument in my back and the numbness has returned.
All of my health issues have led me to joblessness. I limp into job interviews but no one wants to hire me in such a state. My father, who lives on a fixed income, is my only family. I own a condo but got behind and could lose it if any payments are missed. I finally found a job but it has no benefits. I’ve tried getting on disability but it takes years. And, I’m now told I need a double knee replacement as well as an MRI on my back to determine if surgery can correct the new numbness.
I have no short-term disability and cannot take time off because I can’t pay my bills.
The latest blow? On March 1, my job is being cut to part-time. I don’t want to be a burden on society – I want to work. But I am in constant pain, in debt, and facing homelessness. I am feeling hopeless. I need money for a bilateral knee replacement, and to help pay my bills for three months while I recover and cannot work. Any help would be appreciated during this difficult time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Denise Griggs
Organizer
Akron, OH
Sharon Rosche
Beneficiary