Benny Perales

Hello, my name is benny and I am a veteran and hold a masters in social work. Until recently I have been able to meet my own financial ablations. That was until I was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis, a progressive and painful diagnosis, in the Fall of 2017. In February of this year I met with my orthopedic specialist and was informed that with pain management and some physical therapy I should not need my hips replaced for another 6-10 years; good news until May came around. At the end of May my hips took a dramatic turn for the worse and my pain level suddenly increased and my experience became emotionally, psychologically, and physically demanding in a manner that I was unprepared for. 

I found myself having a difficult time doing daily activities I took for granted such as sitting, picking up items off the floor, laying in bed, rolling over in bed, getting in and out of the shower,  getting in and out of my car. putting on underwear, short, or pants, putting on shoes, tying those shoes, using stairs,  and the list goes on and on. There are moments that all I can do is lie down in the fetal position and wait for the pain to subside enough that I can go on with my day. The pain is unrelenting and unpredictable. I have had many nights where I felt I could not go another moment and would just cry out of exhaustion from hurting al the time. 

I have followed may physician's  orders and have done everything asked of me to include taking steroid injections into both hips (ouch), hydrotherapy,  taking my pain medication as prescribed, and continue to utilize a cane, a rollator, or a wheelchair when needed to reduce the pain in my hips and be as mobile as possible. These interventions have not been successful in allowing me to be a productive member of society.

The pain became so severe it was affecting my ability to get to work, stay at work, perform my everyday duties with ease as before, and even staying present for my coworkers and clients due to the pain being so severe.  My employers were great and accommodated my needs as much as they could until the day came that I had to make the sad and difficult decision to leave due to no longer being able to manage my pain level and be a reliable employee; that decision really hurt since I loved my job, the people I work with, I felt that I really made a difference in people lives. 

In the past I have always been able to find a way to meet my financial obligation without having to reach out and ask my friends for this type of finance support.  After military career, I worked as a sign language interpreter for 14 years, and currently hold a masters degree in social work with will in the future allow me to meet my own financial obligations again. Currently, I am waiting for my  social security disability benefits to start being payed out,  but with so many people applying for help it will take a few more  to several more months for my benefits to start. 

For those who are wondering about getting support from my spouse. The most I would prefer to say at this time is that we no longer together and plan not to be. Meaning,  I am on my own. 

I now am in a position that I have to turn to my friends and community for financial support so that I may get through this very difficult time until I am able once again become self sufficient by returning to work and doing what I do best by helping others as a master social worker get the resources they need to live the life they strive for. 

I am asking for approximately $3,500  which should cover my upcoming bills for the next two to three months,  which by then end of that time I hope to have my disability start paying out. The truth is I need more to catch up on bills I have not been able to pay and to pay this who have lent me money up to this point. If donations exceed $3,500 I will pay bills I am behind on and to those who have recently lent me money. Thank you for your time. 


Benny