PLEASE help me to help my amazing friends!
Let me tell you a bit about our wonderful friends Brigitte (54) & George aka ‘Tat’ (63) Mullett. They met later in life in 2005 and married in 2008. Brigitte sadly has been in poor health for the last 15 years, including two strokes, breast cancer (double mastectomy), cystitis, and Parkinson's Disease. She applied for a disability pension in 2008 & 2015 but was denied. She currently has a third application pending.
Brigitte’s Parkinson’s is very aggressive and she has declined drastically over the last two years. She now requires a walker as it has affected her balance and she cannot be left on her own. Tat had become her full time carer and only since December 2019 have they been receiving home care.
Brigitte is currently taking the maximum allowed dosage of the Parkinson's medications. When the meds are not working, this is known as an "off" period. During "off" periods she experiences very intense full body tremors (internally and externally). She is unable to eat or bathe during this time. Walking and talking become very difficult. She requires assistance to dress and becomes incontinent. On average, "off" periods last about 2 hours or more followed by 1 hour "good" time. This cycle is repeated 6 times a day. In the attached video Brigitte is just entering an "off" period.
In 2011 Tat and Brigitte moved to the village of Chipman, New Brunswick and immediately became part of the community. They are both Christians and as part of their ministry they turned their front porch into “TatBridge Cafe” where they always sat with their customers. It became a home away from home for many people. Brigitte also hosted a Ladies Breakfast for the community once a month for several years and also started a breast cancer survivor group. Tat is a talented musician and together they performed in their cafe, church, and community.
Another ministry they have is making backpacks for the homeless. They have organized and requested donations, packed the bags, and have personally delivered over 200 bags to the homeless, each with a positive note/drawing inside made by local children. In 2015 they travelled across North America living in a tiny 5' x 8' teardrop trailer while reaching out to the homeless, often spending up to an hour with each person.
Then in December 2018 Tat lost his job due to company closure and his employment benefits then ran out in May 2019. His previous employment was truck driving but he had to give it up because of his advanced Glaucoma. So they have been living on less than $800 a month since May. Brigitte has over 10 years before she can receive her pension and Tat over a year. Tat can't even claim for caregiver's benefits because Brigitte is not receiving a disability pension. She has been denied twice and is currently on her third application. As you can imagine this is very disheartening for them.
They are such good people and our government has let them down. They’ve reached out to every source they can think of including several calls to their local MP Pat Finnegan and even the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with NO RESULTS.
Parkinson’s has affected every aspect of their lives! It’s enough to deal with without the stress of finances. Now, to add to it all, their medical benefits expire May 30th 2020 and they’ve applied for a government sponsored drug plan but even if they qualify several of Brigitte’s medications aren’t covered by that plan.
Like all of us, they have their monthly bills but now they also have failing appliances (washer, fridge, and vacuum), they have a vehicle that needs replacing, Tat needs hearing aids, and the monthly costs for Brigitte’s personal care needs is very high.
They have been living off savings which won’t carry them for much longer and when it’s gone they fear they’ll have to sell their home to survive. But selling it is a short term fix because then they’ll have to worry about finding rent every month.
Please, if their situation touches you at all, please find it in your heart to donate. They have given so much to so many people, they deserve our support and more!
Let me tell you a bit about our wonderful friends Brigitte (54) & George aka ‘Tat’ (63) Mullett. They met later in life in 2005 and married in 2008. Brigitte sadly has been in poor health for the last 15 years, including two strokes, breast cancer (double mastectomy), cystitis, and Parkinson's Disease. She applied for a disability pension in 2008 & 2015 but was denied. She currently has a third application pending.
Brigitte’s Parkinson’s is very aggressive and she has declined drastically over the last two years. She now requires a walker as it has affected her balance and she cannot be left on her own. Tat had become her full time carer and only since December 2019 have they been receiving home care.
Brigitte is currently taking the maximum allowed dosage of the Parkinson's medications. When the meds are not working, this is known as an "off" period. During "off" periods she experiences very intense full body tremors (internally and externally). She is unable to eat or bathe during this time. Walking and talking become very difficult. She requires assistance to dress and becomes incontinent. On average, "off" periods last about 2 hours or more followed by 1 hour "good" time. This cycle is repeated 6 times a day. In the attached video Brigitte is just entering an "off" period.
In 2011 Tat and Brigitte moved to the village of Chipman, New Brunswick and immediately became part of the community. They are both Christians and as part of their ministry they turned their front porch into “TatBridge Cafe” where they always sat with their customers. It became a home away from home for many people. Brigitte also hosted a Ladies Breakfast for the community once a month for several years and also started a breast cancer survivor group. Tat is a talented musician and together they performed in their cafe, church, and community.
Another ministry they have is making backpacks for the homeless. They have organized and requested donations, packed the bags, and have personally delivered over 200 bags to the homeless, each with a positive note/drawing inside made by local children. In 2015 they travelled across North America living in a tiny 5' x 8' teardrop trailer while reaching out to the homeless, often spending up to an hour with each person.
Then in December 2018 Tat lost his job due to company closure and his employment benefits then ran out in May 2019. His previous employment was truck driving but he had to give it up because of his advanced Glaucoma. So they have been living on less than $800 a month since May. Brigitte has over 10 years before she can receive her pension and Tat over a year. Tat can't even claim for caregiver's benefits because Brigitte is not receiving a disability pension. She has been denied twice and is currently on her third application. As you can imagine this is very disheartening for them.
They are such good people and our government has let them down. They’ve reached out to every source they can think of including several calls to their local MP Pat Finnegan and even the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with NO RESULTS.
Parkinson’s has affected every aspect of their lives! It’s enough to deal with without the stress of finances. Now, to add to it all, their medical benefits expire May 30th 2020 and they’ve applied for a government sponsored drug plan but even if they qualify several of Brigitte’s medications aren’t covered by that plan.
Like all of us, they have their monthly bills but now they also have failing appliances (washer, fridge, and vacuum), they have a vehicle that needs replacing, Tat needs hearing aids, and the monthly costs for Brigitte’s personal care needs is very high.
They have been living off savings which won’t carry them for much longer and when it’s gone they fear they’ll have to sell their home to survive. But selling it is a short term fix because then they’ll have to worry about finding rent every month.
Please, if their situation touches you at all, please find it in your heart to donate. They have given so much to so many people, they deserve our support and more!
Organizer and beneficiary
Brigitte Mullett
Beneficiary