ONGOING CHALLENGES

We are in a position where we must ask for help. Our home is at risk due to our property taxes
being past due and the potential of a tax sale. This house in Centreville has been our saving grace, as we own it outright. Through the last seven years our family has worked through phases of only one income, of no income, and of underemployment. If we had to pay rent or a mortgage our family would be homeless. Now, the risk of losing our home has emerged and it is terrifying to us.

We have no savings remaining, no investments, no retirement - our home is our sum total of life savings. Sanctuary is what the house means to my husband, sons, and myself. It’s dimensions represent security, a place to heal, a place to return to after hospital stays, a place to be safe when too sick to function well, to recover, to rest, to recuperate.

It has been a month to month fight in the last 7 years, and by now it is clear we must speak up
about our reality. Since 2012, my dear husband has had at least twelve long term hospitalizations, thirteen surgical procedures, numerous specialist to see, a relapse in recovery and rehab, three long term patient care stays for mental health issues. After all these health issues he has been unable to practice his trade as a photographer, especially after loosing sight in one eye. through his five eye surgeries, as an example, he required strict recovery stages, or which he literally had to spend day and night face down for weeks at a time with only five minutes upright an hour. Due to that, plus all the other health issues, like cardiovascular genetic disease, Brugada Syndrome, has been basically house bound, unable lift, carry, bend, stand safely, with serious pain and migraines. Long stretches when he was not allowed to drive. Periods where health issues caused him to have to be sedentary. Times of extreme pain physically and mentally. Quite a few health issues that were so serious I feared losing him. And of course, the loss of sight in his right eye. Rendering him unable to earn an income for years.

Finally, within the last couple months has he been regaining strength and mobility. In the last month, he has found a job and is employed again. We are grateful beyond belief. It has been a long and careful process through his healing to get out of this financial situation. 

My own health issues had disabled me from working for a period, and with commitments to
Coleman, only able to work part time, but this past year, I have been fortunate to find full time
employment to try to keep the household treading water. In the past year, we attempted to put aside the money we knew we would need for property taxes, but our one car we share needed repairs, and we needed some resources for our kids needs and these circumstances depleted that amount. In spite of that depletion, Coleman is working again and that will help-I am employed finally full time at a great company.

However, we are in major crisis because the deadline for the property taxes is approaching
much sooner than Coleman and I’s paychecks can put the funds together. The taxes are due by May 11th to stop a tax sale.

If you can find it in your hearts to help us we will be eternally grateful. Any help would be
appreciated small amounts add up. In our family, everyone is trying to create a better world by speaking out in hopes doing so will end stigma associated with mental health, addiction issues, and create awareness about other diseases. We were told not to share our misfortune. Not to beg. What about our pride. But we are all in this together and maybe our honesty will help someone else. Sharing is good self care.

Please tell your friends, business partners, neighbors and share our story on Facebook, social media, and by email.

Neither of us were raised to ask for help or rely on community. It is clear to us now that is not healthy.

Thank you in advance for your kindness. We send our sincerest love and prayers back into all of your lives. 

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