A WAY TO STAY HOME

THIS is not something I imagined I would ever do.  My stepmother, Vitti Stein was diagnosed over 5 years ago with a terminal disease called Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy.  Think of it as a cousin to ALS.  It slowly, cruelly,  robs you of all motor skills until you pass away. The cruelest part of this disease is that although Vitti can't do anything for herself, not even speak, write or see very well she understands everything but can express nothing.  She is basically trapped in her body.

As this disease progressed we needed a full time live-in aid.  That was almost four years ago.  I rented a house a block from mine so we can keep her close and see her regularly.  Vitti and I, along with her financial advisor, NEVER thought she would outlive her money.  Sadly, horribly, we're just about there.   I made myself a promise that I would not ever place her in a medicaid, state-run facility.  We are only a few months away from that reality.  We don't have room for Vitti and her aide in my house and I can't support two households.  

Vitti is in deep decline.  I am looking to buy a few more months in her rental  house.  The best that I can hope for is that she passes away at home and with us around her.  

I am SO sorry to ask for help.  But if you know her - you totally get that she deserves whatever we can do for her.  If you didn't know her, you missed out.  Funny, talented, generous to a fault and a real wild and wonderful character.  For 35 years she made my father very happy and we all benefitted by association.   If you can help out at all please do.  Unfortunately it has come to this.  The situation is dire.  

Gary