Christopher's place burned down. He needs your help.

A Recent Emergency has Displaced My Brother. Christopher Page is my youngest brother. He is 56 years old, and disabled. On the night of Thursday, 14 May, he was forced out of his home when a fire broke out in his apartment building. Praise God, everyone managed to escape, but the fire consumed almost everything that Chris owned. His apartment building is uninhabitable. He has temporary lodging now and tonight is his third night in the hospital. When he is released from hospital care he will need financial assistance to get a permanent place to live and to replace things that were lost due to the fire. A small, 1-bedroom apartment near Downtown costs at least $900 a month.

Christopher is not in good health. He is in the hospital following the fire because his feet and legs are severely swollen. He has lymphedema which causes painful swelling in the lower extremities. He cannot stand or walk except for brief periods. Chris weighs 363 pounds and his excess weight complicates the lymphedema making it difficult for him to perform normal activities of daily living. For example, Chris cannot walk to the store if it is more than a few hundred feet away. He cannot stand for prolonged periods of time or bend to tie his shoelaces. He has difficulty with bathing and toileting. Sometimes he has difficulty grooming himself. He struggles to prepare meals for himself at home. With these sorts of disabilities – it's not surprising that Chris has fallen into the ranks of the unemployed. This is why over the last 4 or 5 years Chris has had to contend with poverty, homelessness, disease, and despair.

Lymphedema is incurable So, Chris struggles to manage a permanent debilitating condition. Chris’ lymphedema causes swelling so severe that the skin is often blistered, torn, or ruptured - especially in hot weather. (See photos). Chris has old football injuries that still afflict him. He was hospitalized last year from August to October for both lymphedema and surgery for torn cartilage in his left knee. (See photos).

Today, Chris was informed that he needs surgery for knee replacement. The doctors at Baptist Hospital reviewed a fresh set of x-rays and showed him that his knee joint was seriously misaligned. If surgery occurs, Chris will be laid up in a convalescent home for 30 - 45 days. As if that wasn't enough: Chris is has been highly susceptible to infectious diseases. He has been treated for MRSA on multiple occasions. He was diagnosed with sepsis last year when he had surgery. He is vulnerable to illness and further injury from these afflictions. He spends about $750 or more each month to bandage and dress wounds on his legs and feet.

Chris is homebound most of the time. He is not a shut-in, yet, but he is in danger of losing his mobility completely and becoming confined to a wheelchair. It is difficult for him to get around town for appointments, grocery shopping, or to meet with friends.

Chris has sleep apnea. This is most likely a consequence of his long-term obesity. Doctors have prescribed the use of C-PAP devices so he can breathe comfortably when asleep. His device was destroyed in the recent fire so his first priority is to buy another one. A C-PAP machine costs range from $600 to $1100 and requires regular maintenance that adds another $35 of monthly expenses.

Chris’ Needs Help to Replace Furnishings and Personal Effects. Almost everything he had was damaged or destroyed. He needs an adjustable bed that can handle his weight along with linens and blankets. ($1200 – $1400). He must get a heavy duty wheelchair - preferably motorized. ($1200 - $1500) He needs a table and chairs. He needs a heavy-duty reclining chair that can elevate his feet. ($600 - $1000). He has few clothes and needs to replace things that were lost such as long and short pants, shirts, hats, jackets, shoes, sandals, sox, pajamas, a robe, and other items of clothing. These are big expenses for someone living on a small income.

Chris lives off of a small government disability pension. He has no long-term savings or investments to fall back on. His pension represents the first steady source of income he has had in a long time. He was receiving SNAP but that was drastically reduced when his pension started. He is paying for food, rent, and all these other expenses on a meager income. When he needs transportation he uses Uber or Lyft since he does not own a car.

Please Consider the Gravity of Chris' Predicament and Donate Something to his Fundraiser. All of you can help speed his recovery from this misfortune with a modest gift. On behalf of my brother, Chris, I give my sincere thanks and appreciation for whatever you can contribute.