I'm a fixer. I enjoy helping people solve issues, work through problems, make things better. It makes me feel good. I got this from my dad, who was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back, and the back to go with it.
Which is why this is so humbling and difficult for me. l am the one who needs help. And it is very difficult for me to ask it.
The last two years have been increasingly difficult. In February of 2017, I had triple bypass surgery to remedy blockages. I should have been out for six months, but due to insurance running out at the three month point, I went back to work.
In the six months after I returned to work, I was admitted back into the cardiac ward three times. The stress level of my job was causing problems. It came to a head when my cardio-thoracic surgeon asked if I wanted to see my kid graduate high school (she was a new freshman). I said "Yes". His response? "Quit your job". He explained that the stress levels I was enduring were going to kill me within three years if I didn't find another line of work.
Until this point, we were doing fine financially. A bit rough during my recovery, but we made it.
I looked for something else. I found rideshare driving to be less stressful, if not as lucrative, And I started driving near the end of 2017.
In recent months, the income from that has declined, to about 50% of what we needed. Other sources of income have also become inconsistent. But we kept plugging along. Then came the last six weeks.
First, we had to have repair work done on both of our cars, to the tune of $1.000. The following week, our beloved dog, Geo, my buddy, had to be put down because of massive seizures. Three weeks ago, I ended up back in the hospital with chest pains and shortness of breath. We are still working out why this is happening. I came home Friday, and on Monday, our landlord informed us that he was having financial trouble and that he would be reclaiming the property in sixty days.
This week, what seemed to be the ultimate blow came to pass: The transmission of my car - my means of earning - completely failed. It will need to be replaced to the tune of $4000. In the meantime, I have to rent a vehicle to keep earning, but that comes at a price of more than $230 per week, which comes out of what I earn driving.
We were already falling behind on payments, but this additional cost makes it even worse. And in less than six weeks, we have to have deposits ready for a new place to live, to pay for moving costs, etc.
When I got the call about the cost for the transmission, I almost broke. We've tapped every source of money we have, and some friends have already given what they can. And yet, it's not enough.
I didn't want to ask for help. I know so many people struggling with difficulties such as awful medical conditions, losing family members, and their own financial struggles. But someone wiser than I pointed out that if I don't ask for help, it is unlikely that any will come,
I need to restore my ability to earn, and I need to ensure a roof over my family's head. For this reason, I humbly ask for assistance.
Which is why this is so humbling and difficult for me. l am the one who needs help. And it is very difficult for me to ask it.
The last two years have been increasingly difficult. In February of 2017, I had triple bypass surgery to remedy blockages. I should have been out for six months, but due to insurance running out at the three month point, I went back to work.
In the six months after I returned to work, I was admitted back into the cardiac ward three times. The stress level of my job was causing problems. It came to a head when my cardio-thoracic surgeon asked if I wanted to see my kid graduate high school (she was a new freshman). I said "Yes". His response? "Quit your job". He explained that the stress levels I was enduring were going to kill me within three years if I didn't find another line of work.
Until this point, we were doing fine financially. A bit rough during my recovery, but we made it.
I looked for something else. I found rideshare driving to be less stressful, if not as lucrative, And I started driving near the end of 2017.
In recent months, the income from that has declined, to about 50% of what we needed. Other sources of income have also become inconsistent. But we kept plugging along. Then came the last six weeks.
First, we had to have repair work done on both of our cars, to the tune of $1.000. The following week, our beloved dog, Geo, my buddy, had to be put down because of massive seizures. Three weeks ago, I ended up back in the hospital with chest pains and shortness of breath. We are still working out why this is happening. I came home Friday, and on Monday, our landlord informed us that he was having financial trouble and that he would be reclaiming the property in sixty days.
This week, what seemed to be the ultimate blow came to pass: The transmission of my car - my means of earning - completely failed. It will need to be replaced to the tune of $4000. In the meantime, I have to rent a vehicle to keep earning, but that comes at a price of more than $230 per week, which comes out of what I earn driving.
We were already falling behind on payments, but this additional cost makes it even worse. And in less than six weeks, we have to have deposits ready for a new place to live, to pay for moving costs, etc.
When I got the call about the cost for the transmission, I almost broke. We've tapped every source of money we have, and some friends have already given what they can. And yet, it's not enough.
I didn't want to ask for help. I know so many people struggling with difficulties such as awful medical conditions, losing family members, and their own financial struggles. But someone wiser than I pointed out that if I don't ask for help, it is unlikely that any will come,
I need to restore my ability to earn, and I need to ensure a roof over my family's head. For this reason, I humbly ask for assistance.