
Black Disabled & Queer Lives Matter
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Romeo, and I am a 31 year old gay black ciss-gendered male who has no other real family to speak of or support system to fall back on. I am also the full time caregiver for my 35 year old sister, Mia Green, who has cerebral palsy and seizure disorder as well as my 65 year old mother Carlene Green, who has already had 2 surgeries on her hands for her carpal tunnel syndrome and 2 surgeries on her back, the first for three herniated discs and then again as a result of a fall transferring Mia from her chair to bed. That fall occurred in 2011 in Phx,Az while I was trying to make a life for myself in Chicago, it required me to return to Phx and for a year to take over care completely.
Once they had convalesced I made a choice and used everything I had to move them back here to Chicago even though I had to leave all of our possesionsamd memories in storage, so that I could pursue my art and attempt to be a happy, well adjutsted adult, as well as provide the best care and quality of life for my family.
We have had a virtually empty apartment in rodgers park and for three years but I have generally eeked out a life for us here, but putting me pride aside, its been hard...really really hard.
I got a job at a local restaurant working nights and making sure that all of mom and Mia's needs were met during the day.
So that you might understand what providing care means in my house, here are a few things I am responsible for aside from finaces :
feeding,
changing diapers & monthly personal hygiene
showering
medications, both retrieving and administering them
liftin Miar from bed to chair and vice versus
scheduling appointments and getting Mia and mom to their doctors and various specialists
communicating with state and federal government officials concerning my guardianship and power of attorney
monitoring mia for seizure activity and any other signs of distress
cooking
cleaning
shopping
etc
We were making the best of the meager life, we had no real complaints until about 4 months ago when some coworkers and the management of the restaurant I was working for reached a level of homophobia, transphobia,racism, and sexism I could no longer bare. I chose my dignity and sanity over financial stability, thinking I could find another job easily. Unfortunately, I was wrong, after 2 months of searching I decided to apply for unemployment. The process took another 2 months in that time any savings I had, any help from the government and nonprofits, and any help my friends could provide has been completely depleted.I've pawned everything of value in my house. Today, I got the denial letter from unemployment, I am now at a loss.
So please understand that this is my last resort, there is no where else to turn I of course am still looking for work, any work but at this point even if I get a job today my head is still under water. I also I realize I am asking for a large sum of money, but it is the amount that will keep my mom, my sister, and myself off the streets or for my mom and sister out of a group home. I don't know which would be worse considering the statistics of neglect, and/or physical and sexual abuse within groups homes and nursing centers.
I would like to be clear with you so below you will find a breakdown of what you'll be donating to:
Rent - $1600
Utlities - $220
Food - $300
Medical Copays - $150
Retrieving our possesions and memories - $1250
Thank you for taking the time to read this, anything you can give will be greatly appreciated!
Once they had convalesced I made a choice and used everything I had to move them back here to Chicago even though I had to leave all of our possesionsamd memories in storage, so that I could pursue my art and attempt to be a happy, well adjutsted adult, as well as provide the best care and quality of life for my family.
We have had a virtually empty apartment in rodgers park and for three years but I have generally eeked out a life for us here, but putting me pride aside, its been hard...really really hard.
I got a job at a local restaurant working nights and making sure that all of mom and Mia's needs were met during the day.
So that you might understand what providing care means in my house, here are a few things I am responsible for aside from finaces :
feeding,
changing diapers & monthly personal hygiene
showering
medications, both retrieving and administering them
liftin Miar from bed to chair and vice versus
scheduling appointments and getting Mia and mom to their doctors and various specialists
communicating with state and federal government officials concerning my guardianship and power of attorney
monitoring mia for seizure activity and any other signs of distress
cooking
cleaning
shopping
etc
We were making the best of the meager life, we had no real complaints until about 4 months ago when some coworkers and the management of the restaurant I was working for reached a level of homophobia, transphobia,racism, and sexism I could no longer bare. I chose my dignity and sanity over financial stability, thinking I could find another job easily. Unfortunately, I was wrong, after 2 months of searching I decided to apply for unemployment. The process took another 2 months in that time any savings I had, any help from the government and nonprofits, and any help my friends could provide has been completely depleted.I've pawned everything of value in my house. Today, I got the denial letter from unemployment, I am now at a loss.
So please understand that this is my last resort, there is no where else to turn I of course am still looking for work, any work but at this point even if I get a job today my head is still under water. I also I realize I am asking for a large sum of money, but it is the amount that will keep my mom, my sister, and myself off the streets or for my mom and sister out of a group home. I don't know which would be worse considering the statistics of neglect, and/or physical and sexual abuse within groups homes and nursing centers.
I would like to be clear with you so below you will find a breakdown of what you'll be donating to:
Rent - $1600
Utlities - $220
Food - $300
Medical Copays - $150
Retrieving our possesions and memories - $1250
Thank you for taking the time to read this, anything you can give will be greatly appreciated!
Organizer and beneficiary
Romeo Green
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Mia Green
Beneficiary