Bug & A forever home

NEW GOAL WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY!!! NEW HOUSING PROJECT IN ALGONA!!!!

Shannon was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in 2009. In July of 2015, her diagnosis was changed to Progressive Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis - this is because there is little remission from the disease and the episodes are becoming progressively worse. She is a fighter, having decided that “since a disease is eating her brain, she needs a stronger body to fight that bully back” she has lost 160# in the past 3 years, massively helping her fight! She is an amazingly strong woman who has fought lifes battles with a wonderful sense of humor and just a strength about her that is like no other I have ever met!  

Her husband of 10 years had health issues in 2015 which were responsible for him not being able to work at his job as a traveling consultant. The stress of not being able to care for the family led to a decline in his mental health as well, he has been working on that for the past year. In December 2015 Eric & Shannon separated. Though he has tried to support them, they have lost both of their cars and have sold most of their things to make ends meet. His current job pays less than a third of what he previously made. He carries insurance for his daughter and hopes to be able to afford coverage for Shannon in the New Year.

Shannon has not been able to work in several years. She tried going back to work in 2015 and it proved too much for her health. Social Security was denied some years ago, repeatedly when they told her that there are 25 jobs in the NW states assembling fishing reels from home and that she should look for that as employment. To date such jobs are still difficult to not only find but usually have some sort of startup fees, as do most at home jobs, such as stuffing envelopes or even data entry. Shannon is working with the state to reapply for Social Security but has been told that this can be a very lengthy process. She currently receives $750.00 each month child support from Eric, which is her only income.

Eric currently is couch surfing at his sisters and working hard at mastering his new job, which he loves. Which in turn has done amazing things for his mental well-being, as well as helping to strengthen the bond that has been so strained between him and Shannon. They have more things to work through to get back to their prior relationship but they aren’t giving up on such an amazing relationship that had previously gotten them through many of life’s speedbumps.  

Eric and Shannon have an amazing 9 year old little girl. In March, Shannon and their daughter were baptized and have found peace and joy in their church. Eric has been a member of the church for many years but he had not been an active member until he started going again with Shannon and their daughter. The support of their church family has helped and the couple was starting to look forward to a reconciliation at a slow pace so they could rebuild and strengthen their family foundation.

Unfortunately they received another setback. The week of Thanksgiving, Shannon was told she needed to vacate her home, as the owner is looking to list the property on January 1st.  A temporary home has been found that will provide some stability for them and allow her daughter to finish the school year with her class.

Various family members, friends, and their church have helped support them in the past year, but they are unable to do much more at this point.

January rent needs to be paid before Shannon and their daughter can start moving into the temporary haven. With having to be out by January 1st, it makes moving very difficult and the time to gather the necessary monies very short. Help is needed as soon as possible. Funds would first be used to get Shannon and her daughter into a safe place. Any other amounts would be used to pay down the medical bills that occur with MS, and daily needs such as winter clothes are needed for a growing girl. A more permanent location will require a deposit and bigger move in costs, which will be where any other monies would go.

This help will allow this family to have some breathing space and time to rebuild their relationship and their family. They can continue to work on the three of them getting back to being a family. No words could ever tell you how thankful they will be for your assistance. These are the kind of people who pay it forward, lets please join forces in helping them when they are in need themselves.