Hi, my name is Neal, I am 58 years old, my beautiful wife Karen and I have been married for 36 years. We met at Knotts Berry farm in California where we both worked. We now live with our dog Zoey (who we love very much) in Salem, Oregon.  We moved up to Oregon after we became empty nesters at 44. Our son lives in Texas and daughter and son in law in Washington with our two grandchildren. 

The reason for my story, around 2008 we were out walking with our dear friends, when Karen noticed I had curled my hands up a bit and asked “why are you holding your hands up like that?”. Shortly after I went to the doctor and after a series of tests I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

At the time the Neurologist gave me about 5 years to live. Not long after my diagnosis I lost my job, being a construction superintendent I was having trouble falling down and falling asleep - not good on the job site!

Some time after while trying to make it work Karen’s hours were cut back (panic time), so in less than a month we packed up and were on the road to Salem, we rolled into town with $3.35 between the 2 of us into the arms of Karens welcoming sister and brother in law. After getting settled Karen found a fantastic job in the State of Oregon- department of education. This position included excellent health insurance benefits that helped us pursue many treatment options for my Parkinson’s- thus defying the 5 year prognosis.    Right before the pandemic started I was scheduled for the deep brain stimulation surgery as an additional Parkinson’s treatment and this has once again helped with symptoms but there is no cure and my options for income are restricted as I receive a limited disability benefit and my mobility continues to decline. 

I now spend a few hours a week at the local Presbyterian church doing odd jobs and helping out as I physically can. Around the same time as my brain surgery Karen experienced some health issues as well - after Karen finished her treatment then coupled with unknowns due to the pandemic the department of education did not renew her contract and she was out of a job. We have been able to make it work with unemployment while Karen has tirelessly looked for a new position - however we have exhausted those funds as of August and now we are running a mounting deficit. Things are becoming dire and our options have come down to packing everything up and moving in with our son out in Texas and while we would love to be with him the reality of a big move would be very taxing on me physically and would require finding a new neurologist which is really difficult to find the right fit as well all the other doctors I require. Ideally we would be able to stay in our home in Salem while Karen works on getting a new position. 

Any funds coming in would be for food, rent, and absolute necessities for Karen, Zoey and I.   Any connections to jobs in the Salem area would be fantastic as well. 

Thank you for any and all help.