Retired Beloved Teacher needs help with Medical Expenses

Hi, my name is Sharon Smith and this fundraiser is for my sister, Rita Barton Mullins.

Rita is a retired school teacher, who devoted 35 years of her life to teaching children. Though she taught several grades over the years, she worked mainly at the high school level, specifically twelfth-grade English Lit. She was an amazing educator, one who had a true passion for her subject matter and for the students. Over the years she was both teacher and mentor, often encouraging those who thought college was out of reach to go on to earn advanced degrees and have successful careers in fields they might not have attempted otherwise. Her students have become pharmacists, physicians, accountants, successful business owners, and often, school teachers.

After an unfortunate car accident crushed her knee and shattered several bones in her foot she was forced to accept a disability retirement or she probably would have gone on teaching for another ten years. She loved it that much.

In 2011 she lost her husband unexpectedly, and upon his death, she discovered that much of her retirement savings and other funds she thought were safely tucked away were gone. He had spent it on bad business investments and an online gambling habit. He'd even drained the equity from their home unbeknownst to her. While able to live fairly comfortably with her daily bills, she has nothing left for unexpected expenses, like medical bills. Even without any new expenses, her regular monthly prescriptions take a large chunk - even medications needed to maintain ordinary day-to-day abilities - like inhalers that cost over $200 each. I help her out as often as I can and she has a few good friends that help out as much as possible as well, so she usually gets by, but this year she has been hit with a crushing amount of medical issues.

A large tumor was recently found on her thyroid and in early May she had to have surgery to have the part of it that was blocking her sinus' removed. Thankfully it was benign, but even though she came through that surgery okay, there's a risk that the remaining tumor may continue to grow and she may have to undergo a more invasive surgery to have more of it removed. Her copays for the surgery and associated follow-up amounted to over $500.

Shortly after that surgery, she found out she must have surgery on her eyes or soon face nearly complete blindness. And even more crushing to her, she won't be able to pass the DMV eye test without the surgery and she'll lose her license, which will end her capability to live alone and remain independent. She was eager to get the surgery and had started the pre-op and scheduling until she found out her co-pays would amount to almost $4000. Now, she's put everything on hold.

Additionally, the knee that was crushed nearly 20 years ago is failing again and she was recently told she needs a new replacement. She is frequently in pain and struggles going up and down steps, and even getting in and out of vehicles. Last time she had to pay out of pocket for much of the rehabilitative therapy following the surgery, so our best guess is another $2000 for her copays for that procedure and the follow-up.

And as if all of that wasn't enough, several years ago part of her jawbone had to be rebuilt due to an infection and she had a partial plate made for the teeth that had to be replaced. That plate broke late last summer and she was told the jawbone would begin to deteriorate again if she didn't soon have the partial replaced. So she had been saving to have the needed replacement made, but those funds had to go for a temporary repair for her furnace over the winter. The last quote she received for the partial denture was $1900 for its replacement.

I want to see my sister enjoy her retirement, she deserves it because life hasn't always been easy for her. She is my older sister, who took care of me when I was small and who has always been there for me, so it hurts me that I can't do more. I am disappointed that her retirement plan doesn't provide better medical coverage. Everyone deserves that, especially our teachers. Caring, dedicated educators provide the boost in life we all need to succeed, and those with a true passion for their chosen field open a child's mind to the world of learning.

So I'm asking for your help, even if it's just to share this on your newsfeed to spread the word. It is all greatly appreciated. I just want to prove to her that there are caring people who recognize her contribution to the world.