
Help repair my home
Donation protected
I'm Steve . I live in Tallassee Tennessee in the smoky mountains. I'm a 56 year old who is affected by multiple sclorosis and doesn't get disabilty because when I first became slowed down with M.S. I thought I could find alternatives ways of earning a living instead of collecting my social security disability .
When I realized I needed assistance because I wasn't eating enough during the winter months and decided to apply for my disability , 2 years+ had already passed since I left my job and I was told I no longer qualified for my social security disability because I no longer had employment credits needed to qualify. Slowed down by my ailment I was pretty much left to fend for myself since than , with occasional help from family members.
Had I known about the work credits needed to recieve social security disibility benefits and how they could be lost if I didn't apply within 2 years of my last employmment I would have applied right away . I never thought the decision I made then would cost me so greatly and land me into poverty .
I thought I was doing an honorable thing by not applying for my social security disability right away in trying to make a living another way and support myself but I see I was wrong .
A small leak.
In 2010 I made repairs to my roof which was wearing thin. I used roll roofing that I had originally used in 1999 when I built the house, to repair a small leak and to prevent further leaks. Doing the job myself I was doing the repairs over a few days time. Before I had the last roll of roofing fully tacked down we had a rain storm that evening that included an F 1 tornado that touch down about 4 miles from my home. Although my home was spared from the tornado, the strong gust of wind we did receive tore off a good portion of the new roofing as I hadn't finished nailing it down fully and was going to do the rest of the nailing when all of the roll roofing was in place and then seal it with cold tar sealant. The wind also took out one of my windows, frame and all but was not damage as it landed on a small patch of raspberries and I had put it back in the next day.
I collected the ripped roll roofing and patched up the roof the best I was able to because I didn't have the money to buy any more materials.
The next time it rained it was apparent the new roll roofing was damage to the point water was still leaking into the house. It was a small leak and I placed a bucket in the spot where it leaked and lived with it for about a year until the leak was large enough that I needed a garbage pail to collect the water from the rain from just a few hours of it raining. My roof is flat and so even after the rain would stop the water that accumulated on the roof would drip for hours. The leaks progressed over the year to the point I had 11, 5 gallon buckets and one garbage pail to collect water from the many leaks . Because of the amount of rain we were getting this year, I had to stay awake on rainy nights to empty the pails that would quickly get filled and spill over if I wasn't awake to empty them. The last 2 years have been a real nightmare! Anyone who knows about the symptoms of multiple sclerosis knows stress brings on the symptoms and amplifies them.
I tried asking local churches for help and found that between times being economically hard for many along with a growing animosity toward people who are needy I am left to find another way of getting help.
Besides my neighbor and family, the only people to take concern with my dilemma was a local radio station owner and his wife who, a few weeks ago, came to my home to see my situation and help me figure out the best solution? No one has given me as much input as they have and I appreciate these people. As a Mom and pop business in a corporate dominated world, I know they have their arms full trying to keep their "voice of the people " type radio show on air for the locals in my area.
They suggested I try doing a Go Fund Me.
Since 2010 my roof has gotten to the point that the leaks created mold and rot and parts of the roof have collapsed.
We had a very wet and cold winter this year in these parts and with a quarter of my roof missing, the heat from my woodstove ( my only source of heat ) was going right out of the roof. When the weather got severely cold in February, the rain water that spilled out of over filled buckets, onto the floor of my house had turned to ice. It was like sleeping in a freezer. One night was so cold my ears felt like I was getting frost bite and I woke up in the morning with pain in my ears and a slight loss of hearing. It's 8 months later and my ears still bother me.
I am reluctant to ask for help but I don't want to be a statistic of people who end up dying from exposure to weather because they weren't able to find a way to keep warm in severe cold.
I am the type who enjoys helping others usually in the form of healing arts and introducing people to healthy, healing eating habits as I feel it gives my life a meaning. But now I am the one asking for help as my roof is collapsing and the rain has destroyed much of my possession (tools included) which mostly have been turn into a pile of squalor. In August I moved into a room in my son's mobile home but it's only temporary and since the room is only 10 x 11 ft most of my possessions are still in my house getting ruined by mold, rot and rust.
Although I have multiple sclerosis according to a neurologist and lupus according to an orthopedic doctor, I haven't given up on improving my health or gaining the ability to once again earn a living. I raise goats for milk and meat for myself and except for this year, usually harvest a 6 moths supply of sweet potatoes as a staple food and grow some fruits, vegetables and spices to season my foods. I raise my foods organically in an environmentally sound way that improves the land I raise my foods on and is in balance with the wildlife in this area.
For the last 4 years I've been increasing my herd of goats with the intention of selling goat meat in the future as the demand in my area has grown for non hormone healthy meats and it is something I can do to earn a living with the health restrictions I have.
Because I have little money to invest, it's a slow process as goats give birth only once a year. So far I feel I'm on schedule with no set backs except my roof rotting and collapsing. In 3 years I should be able to be selling meats at a reasonable cost, selling direct to the public. Because I raise meats for myself with health in mind I raise a superior quality than what can be found in local food stores. Others who's occupation doesn't allow them time to raise high quality healthy meats will have access to quality meats they currently don't have access to, at an affordable price because it will be direct to the public.
Trying to get a rough estimate of what I would need for supplies and some new tools, I figure between $9,000 and $12,000 would be what I would need. Someone who was helping me with figuring out the cost, estimated it to be around $8,000 if I were to use some of the wood from my rotted trusses but the mold is mostly on all the wood and is currently spreading. I was also hoping I'd have enough to higher someone to help me where two men are needed but if I didn't have help I'd manage as I'm use to doing two man task alone.
Any amount would help whether it be $5.00 or $10.00 or what ever you're able to spare. And for those who read this and think they have nothing to give a prayer would be graciously accepted as well.
Thank you . ,...Steve





When I realized I needed assistance because I wasn't eating enough during the winter months and decided to apply for my disability , 2 years+ had already passed since I left my job and I was told I no longer qualified for my social security disability because I no longer had employment credits needed to qualify. Slowed down by my ailment I was pretty much left to fend for myself since than , with occasional help from family members.
Had I known about the work credits needed to recieve social security disibility benefits and how they could be lost if I didn't apply within 2 years of my last employmment I would have applied right away . I never thought the decision I made then would cost me so greatly and land me into poverty .
I thought I was doing an honorable thing by not applying for my social security disability right away in trying to make a living another way and support myself but I see I was wrong .
A small leak.
In 2010 I made repairs to my roof which was wearing thin. I used roll roofing that I had originally used in 1999 when I built the house, to repair a small leak and to prevent further leaks. Doing the job myself I was doing the repairs over a few days time. Before I had the last roll of roofing fully tacked down we had a rain storm that evening that included an F 1 tornado that touch down about 4 miles from my home. Although my home was spared from the tornado, the strong gust of wind we did receive tore off a good portion of the new roofing as I hadn't finished nailing it down fully and was going to do the rest of the nailing when all of the roll roofing was in place and then seal it with cold tar sealant. The wind also took out one of my windows, frame and all but was not damage as it landed on a small patch of raspberries and I had put it back in the next day.
I collected the ripped roll roofing and patched up the roof the best I was able to because I didn't have the money to buy any more materials.
The next time it rained it was apparent the new roll roofing was damage to the point water was still leaking into the house. It was a small leak and I placed a bucket in the spot where it leaked and lived with it for about a year until the leak was large enough that I needed a garbage pail to collect the water from the rain from just a few hours of it raining. My roof is flat and so even after the rain would stop the water that accumulated on the roof would drip for hours. The leaks progressed over the year to the point I had 11, 5 gallon buckets and one garbage pail to collect water from the many leaks . Because of the amount of rain we were getting this year, I had to stay awake on rainy nights to empty the pails that would quickly get filled and spill over if I wasn't awake to empty them. The last 2 years have been a real nightmare! Anyone who knows about the symptoms of multiple sclerosis knows stress brings on the symptoms and amplifies them.
I tried asking local churches for help and found that between times being economically hard for many along with a growing animosity toward people who are needy I am left to find another way of getting help.
Besides my neighbor and family, the only people to take concern with my dilemma was a local radio station owner and his wife who, a few weeks ago, came to my home to see my situation and help me figure out the best solution? No one has given me as much input as they have and I appreciate these people. As a Mom and pop business in a corporate dominated world, I know they have their arms full trying to keep their "voice of the people " type radio show on air for the locals in my area.
They suggested I try doing a Go Fund Me.
Since 2010 my roof has gotten to the point that the leaks created mold and rot and parts of the roof have collapsed.
We had a very wet and cold winter this year in these parts and with a quarter of my roof missing, the heat from my woodstove ( my only source of heat ) was going right out of the roof. When the weather got severely cold in February, the rain water that spilled out of over filled buckets, onto the floor of my house had turned to ice. It was like sleeping in a freezer. One night was so cold my ears felt like I was getting frost bite and I woke up in the morning with pain in my ears and a slight loss of hearing. It's 8 months later and my ears still bother me.
I am reluctant to ask for help but I don't want to be a statistic of people who end up dying from exposure to weather because they weren't able to find a way to keep warm in severe cold.
I am the type who enjoys helping others usually in the form of healing arts and introducing people to healthy, healing eating habits as I feel it gives my life a meaning. But now I am the one asking for help as my roof is collapsing and the rain has destroyed much of my possession (tools included) which mostly have been turn into a pile of squalor. In August I moved into a room in my son's mobile home but it's only temporary and since the room is only 10 x 11 ft most of my possessions are still in my house getting ruined by mold, rot and rust.
Although I have multiple sclerosis according to a neurologist and lupus according to an orthopedic doctor, I haven't given up on improving my health or gaining the ability to once again earn a living. I raise goats for milk and meat for myself and except for this year, usually harvest a 6 moths supply of sweet potatoes as a staple food and grow some fruits, vegetables and spices to season my foods. I raise my foods organically in an environmentally sound way that improves the land I raise my foods on and is in balance with the wildlife in this area.
For the last 4 years I've been increasing my herd of goats with the intention of selling goat meat in the future as the demand in my area has grown for non hormone healthy meats and it is something I can do to earn a living with the health restrictions I have.
Because I have little money to invest, it's a slow process as goats give birth only once a year. So far I feel I'm on schedule with no set backs except my roof rotting and collapsing. In 3 years I should be able to be selling meats at a reasonable cost, selling direct to the public. Because I raise meats for myself with health in mind I raise a superior quality than what can be found in local food stores. Others who's occupation doesn't allow them time to raise high quality healthy meats will have access to quality meats they currently don't have access to, at an affordable price because it will be direct to the public.
Trying to get a rough estimate of what I would need for supplies and some new tools, I figure between $9,000 and $12,000 would be what I would need. Someone who was helping me with figuring out the cost, estimated it to be around $8,000 if I were to use some of the wood from my rotted trusses but the mold is mostly on all the wood and is currently spreading. I was also hoping I'd have enough to higher someone to help me where two men are needed but if I didn't have help I'd manage as I'm use to doing two man task alone.
Any amount would help whether it be $5.00 or $10.00 or what ever you're able to spare. And for those who read this and think they have nothing to give a prayer would be graciously accepted as well.
Thank you . ,...Steve





Organizer
Fran Horton Reyes
Organizer
Abrams, TN