Help Chris! His Fiance-Caregiver Surprisingly Died

Rebecca Costell is organizing this fundraiser.

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Please help Chris get through this medical and financial emergency that has also has ravaged his love story.

THE BACKSTORY:
Chris and Kristiina started dating on October 25, 2003. Kristiina thought the sun rose and set with Chris and he loved her just as much.

Five years into their relationship Chris got very sick and subsequently, his brain was badly damaged. Kristiina then became not only the love of his life but also his doting caregiver. She helped him through a time when he had seizures and a heart attack.

He has no short-term memory due to his brain injury so Chris can't live alone. He also can't drive because he'll likely get lost, and he is unable to cook for himself because he might forget to turn off the oven or a burner.

As exhausting as it was to run a household, pay all the bills, keep track of Chris's 11 life-saving meds, and his frequent doctor's appointments, Kristiina was a very smart girl who was completely capable. She graduated from Cornell University in three years, spoke several languages, was a fabulous writer, and played first chair viola in an orchestra.

WHAT HAPPENED:
Last month, a couple of weeks before their 17-year anniversary, Chris went in to check on sleeping Kristiina and found her deceased in their bed. He knew to call for help but aside from that, Chris doesn't know how to run his life at all. She managed everything. The coroner still doesn't know what took Kristiina's life and says they may not have an answer until next year.

Being the caregiver Kristiina had everything set up in her own name. So even though he is sometimes listed as an authorized user, until he has a death certificate Chris is unable to cancel utility bills, access storage units, bank accounts, or credit cards.

NOW WHAT?
Chris's small and distant family has rallied around to help as much as they can but it's tough. I am Chris's step-sister but in the big picture, he is an only child. His dad died when he was eight and his mom is disabled also living on a fixed income. Chris and Kris have a dog, Sisu, and two cats, Precious and Vicious. Snuggles with the pets are making this just a bit more tolerable for Chris.

Chris would like to move closer to his mom but isn't sure when that will happen as the government has to approve the move. Currently, his apartment also has a bad case of bedbugs. So once he moves he will likely have to replace everything. Evidently, bed bugs are nearly impossible to get rid of and can live without a host for a year.

We predict Chris will need to buy new clothes and have to buy the basics all over again since the bedbugs have infested everything. He is content with shopping at thrift stores. He will also need to hire help moving and need money to set up first and last months' payments for new services as need be. Chris has Kristiina's car but will have to have it registered and insured in his name if he wants to keep it to lend to a caregiver.

Chris and Kristiina were surviving on his meager disability income with most of their money coming from her earnings as his 24-hour caregiver. From what we can tell his income has been slashed by more than half and now he has to pay for everything himself. Until he can cancel things and downsize he will continue to have to pay for all the services.

One could say Chris is superhuman living through all that he has.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Though we can't put a price on the anxiety he is feeling, some extra money would help ease his mind and pay for the help he needs. We are estimating $6000 as a total to cover everything for the next couple of months until things are sorted out. A donation of any size is greatly appreciated.

Chris's life has changed forever.

Who would have ever guessed Chris would be looking forward to the day he receives Kristiina's death certificate to make his life easier?

Chris doesn't drink or do drugs and is determined to get through this with the love and support of his friends and family.

I thought the GoFundMe community might also be able to help in this emergency. Please feel free to share this plea with your friends as Chris needs all the help we can get.

Thank you in advance. Your generosity is beyond appreciated.

Kris and Chris

Chris and Kris

Kristiina and Sisu enjoying a day at the beach. Years ago they brought Sisu home after finding her abandoned at a local liquor store. Now she's a happy girl and likes to play in the sand.