Albert & Renee's Story

Albert and Renee’s Story

Accident/ Broken Bones, Back Surgery and Mental Health Issues

Albert and Renee never imagined that the vows they took in November 2003 would be filled with the uncertainty of each of their physical and mental health and the financial repercussions following the unfortunate and unexpected of each one’s health and mental well-being.

Albert and Renee enjoyed many hobbies together. One was riding motorcycle. Along with their friends, they spent many hours enjoying the great outdoors on their bike. Of course, having a baby was a blessing and they welcomed Kylie in June of 2005. Life was great and they were living the American dream.

Renee was a full-time stylist and Albert worked at St. Paul Harley. Being a full-time stylist, Renee did not foresee the physical demands that the hair industry would place on her body. As time went on, she began to have back problems. The problems become so painful that it debilitated her everyday activities.

On June 19th, 2019, Albert was in a life-changing motorcycle accident. He, nor Renee could imagine how this was going to change their life. The accident left him with a broken hip, knee and ankle. Within 9 days of his accident, Albert had 7 major surgeries. A rod was placed in his leg to repair that break, along with other hardware to repair the other injuries. Little did Albert know that normal as he knew it was never going to be again. For 7 months, Renee supported the family on her stylist wage barely making it. Albert was allowed to return to work, yet still, in severe pain, he went back to work at Harley after 7 months. Even though he was proudly grateful that he was able to contribute once again to the family finances, depression had already taken hold, because of the severe pain, it led to Albert’s decline of his mental health (as any life-changing event does) triggering his dependency on alcohol to control the pain. Financially, Renee and Albert were living day-to-day with their finances. Medical expenses were piled up and going back to the doctor to manage pain was not an option. Little did they know, how much mentally and physically, this disease of dependency would control Albert’s life, along with Renee and Kylie’s. Fast forward to today Albert is 5 months sober!!! Along with previous health issues-his liver was damaged during this time of his life. He has and continues to work the 12-step program that he learned through the inpatient 90-day program. Renee and Kylie supported his decision to enter rehab, knowing this was just what Albert needed. Renee did and will continue to support Albert’s journey to stay sober, no matter what the sacrifice. She has been working her two jobs to continue to pay off the previous medical bills, monthly bills, and everyday expenses. During the last three years Renee’s back deteriorated to the point she had no choice but to have back surgery. She did, and it has much improved her back pain, but unfortunately, her shoulder has also been affected by the many years of doing hair. She chose to go very part-time since she loves her profession with a passion. She found a job that is much easier on her body but does not have the financial perks of the hair industry leaving her, and the family with much less income! Since the accident and with the many health and mental issues that Renee and/or Albert have run into; Kylie, their daughter, has had to overcome many obstacles in her young life. Dealing with family issues, the pandemic, and just being a young woman in this crazy world; she is looking forward to graduating in the spring of 2023! While in rehab, Albert began to have problems with the rod in his leg. On December 22 of 2022 (what a Christmas), doctors determined that the rod in his leg was infected. They surgically removed the original rod and replaced it with a temporary anti-bacterial rod. Seven days later, on December 29, 2022, he had a second surgery where they replaced the anti-bacterial rod with another and found out Albert was dealing with a staph infection through previous cultures. He was released to home and was prescribed 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics through a PICC line. While at home, Albert ended up with internal bleeding. Doctors hospitalized him and cauterized the bleeds. His next surgery was scheduled for February 2023, but because of the health of his liver, they are postponing it until April. Hopefully, with God’s grace, his liver will be able to handle the upcoming surgery.

As said previously, Renee will do all she can to support Albert’s physical and mental well-being. Since rehab, Albert has not been able to work, nor can he physically work because of his leg. This has financially taken a toll on the ability to financially survive. With past and present medical bills, mortgage payments, and the rising costs of all that it takes to survive financially-Renee has come to realize that her 2 job income is just not cutting it. She is mentally exhausted PERIOD. Life has been a roller coaster over the last 4 years. Physically her body is just burnt. She has been told that she is on borrowed time with her shoulder. She is working her two jobs and trying to give Kylie the memorable senior year that she deserves. She has sold all things that the family does not need to live on. Renee has since told her close group of friends and co-workers how very bad life has become and has admitted how bad it seems to be looking. Admitting that the house is headed toward foreclosure has been a hard thing for her to admit to. Her heart is broken. This is her home. The home Kylie has only known. Just keeping food on the table and the heat on and paying the medical bills and a few other basics-Renee unfortunately is not able to keep up with her monthly mortgage payments, and we know that this doesn’t go well with the lender. They have no programs to help her out. She, along with Albert have their hands tied.

So here goes it:

Are you able to help Renee, Kylie, and Albert out? Anything donated is much appreciated. If they can just get through until Albert can work again, which he is looking forward to, things will be much brighter. But right now, it’s a waiting game regarding his health.

From the bottom of their hearts, they appreciate all that you can do for them. They look forward to one day paying it forward to someone who will need help.

Thank you for reading their story-their friends and family.

Thank you for donating to our cause-Renee, Albert, and Kylie