Could still use your Help ... updated 11/2018

  November 2018 - Update:  Finally received a court date for the Social Security Disability appeal, two years after the application.  Loan payments are current (I, John's sister take care of that to date) and 4 years left to go to pay that off at $404 a month.  The Disability appointment is set for MARCH 2019

John has declined but at a slower rate and now just received news of Kidney Failure.  The doctor said we have no hope of stopping this and slowing it down will be a huge undertaking if at all possible due to the white blood cell count that has been an issue for the last two years.  John still has an infection carrying in his body and will not be eligible for a spot on a transplant list due to high risk of rejection.

Diabetes is still running in the 300+ but is being treated and John is getting regular medical care as well as his wife now.  They have the house, they have heat and electric as well as a vehicle to get to and from doctors and treatments (thanks to their daughter who was able to purchase a used but sturdy car for them).  

They have no cable or house phone or any luxury items we take for granted, the new diet restrictions are making food prep and shopping a challenge but it will get easier.   The house needs some long overdue repairs but that roof is still over their heads and they are truly thankful for that.   My calculations for the repairs include gutters and downspouts, windows, plumbing repairs, foundation issues and insulation.  I have a pretty good list going but these are the must do items ASAP.  I hate to see the heat going right out the windows, foundation and ceiling but we are tapped at this point.

I have no idea how they are going to make it to March and hope the judge grants the SSD then it would be another 6-8 weeks before they would see the first disability check.  Makes me crazy to clearly see a disabled man get denied and have to appeal for 2 years while others have skated through and collect with no problem and many who have never paid in like they have.  

  So we are going for another push with this go fund me page and hope we can get them through to March, put some money into the plumbing and keep up on the electric/gas/water.  Anything else would go right into the house repairs starting with the foundation, windows and insulation.  


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2017 Original Details of story:

After years of struggles my brother, John O'Connor was hospitalized early last year with an infection that almost cost him his life.  A long list of conditions that include Paresthesia due to nephropathy.  The diabetes that ranges in the 300 - 400 range daily.   The undetected condition resulted in permanent damage, multiple surgeries (Carpal Tunnel in both arms), and a grim future from the hospital and doctors that he will never be without the pain and limits his body is now in. 

Unable to feel his hands or feet other than the ripping pain he has been unable to work and finds it difficult to walk most days.  Medication is helping but only mask the problem, will never cure the damage.  As his wife takes care of his daily needs, taking him to doctors and hospital on a regular basis they are in limbo on an appeal for Social Security Disability benefits for over a year now.

No income, no money, state health insurance and food benefits are their only blessing right now. 

Last year they did not want to complain or tell anyone they had no electric, and ate apples off a tree for two weeks.  The winter brought them cold, dark nights with no lights or heat until DHS approved emergency fuel delivery for the heat.

The house was foreclosed on and sold by auction.  The redemption period is almost over and we can save the house if we can buy the bidder price from the sale.   The home is located in Fairgrove MI and John has spent his entire life in the Bay City area. 

Family is limited and I have only been able to keep their electric on, have a phone available to them and make sure they can get to appointments in the van that is beyond any imagination of salvageable.

The house as you can see needs lots of work but the inside is clean and it is the only thing they have.   They have nothing left to sell and creditors everywhere now.  Please help save my brothers home.

Life can turn around for them.  John is getting the medical care he needs and I have hope people will hear our cry for help.  No one gets through life without making some poor choices or mistakes and John & Connie are no different, they accept responsibility for their part in getting where they are but in reality they are way too hard on themselves and do not deserve to be homeless.  These are loving warm people.

The state of Michigan save your home program dragged their feet for months on end trying to wait out the disability so to arrange some relief until the auction when the family was informed the lender does not participate in the program.

Please I beg all of you to please help me save not just their home but their lives.   The auction price is $17,948.90 (includes interest and insurance).    The law firm of ORLANS PC state the amount to save the home must be in 2 checks one for $17,948.90 and one for $180 for the redemption fee and recording certificate.    These numbers were good through 10/9/17 and is being charged interest of 6.75% so we expect the end total to reach as high as the $20,000 goal to just keep the house.  We have called Habitat, agencies, the state and have no one else to go to but the public - can you help your neighbors and my big brother keep the place.

We are desperate, I have custody of our older brother after his strokes three years ago (Charles LeMire), our mother just gets by and our father was murdered in 2004 in his home near Manistee.

Deadline for redemption funds to be processed to Orlans PC must be done by 12/24/2017.   Please don't let them loose their home for Christmas.

Sincerely,
S. Klabak - sister