Please see the latest UPDATE below our original entry:

Background

Barbara has severe multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS, a recognized disability by the Americans with Disabilities Act). This led her to live in her 1968 VW Beetle for the last 40 years, in natural environments including campgrounds, to avoid toxic exposures. (Barbara insisted that I add here, for all VW enthusiasts, that her '68 Bug is still running with the original engine and transmission!)

Car-camping worked well for her until a recent fall resulted in her becoming physically disabled as well. Previously fiercely independent, she can no longer walk or drive, and she sits or sleeps in her car in pain. She used to drive to cooler places to get out of the heat, but that is no longer possible. It is quickly getting too hot to be living in her car in Tucson. She needs to be in an air-conditioned assisted living facility for her safety and care now.

Most facilities would be toxic to her, with fragrances, standard laundry and cleaning products, and non-organic food. I have found one, possibly two, facilities in Tucson that will do their best to accommodate Barbara's environmental sensitivities.

If Barbara desires to pursue surgery while in assisted living, and is determined by an orthopedic surgeon to be an appropriate candidate, then these facilities have units specifically for post-surgical rehabilitation. (Hip surgery is very risky for people with MCS, so whether or not to have it is not an easy decision.)

Purpose of Fundraising (please see the UPDATE below)

This fundraiser’s immediate priority is to cover the few month’s rental fee at the assisted living facility, so Barbara can get safely out of her car in the Summer heat, which is almost upon us.

Barbara will apply for ALTCS (Arizona’s version of Medicaid for long term care), which will pay assisted living fees, and both of the facilities we're researching for her accept ALTCS. But until all that is in place, we need to pay the facility fees up front. That is the purpose of this fundraiser. Assisted living in Phoenix averages $5,500/month. Barbara’s social security is about $1,000/month.

Assisted living offers Barbara the best opportunity for her safety and care. Thank you for helping her receive it.