Coming together for Liz!!

As many of you know, my sister Elizabeth "Liz" Caruso has endured the recent and devastating loss of her partner and primary caregiver of 23 years. Sherri was a tremendous support for Liz as her caretaker.

What you may not know is that Liz's medical condition has limited her mobility. For some time, due to the severity of her impairments, Liz has been unable to work.

Liz developed severe osteoarthritis of the spine at age 12. She has fractured her spine in three locations, resulting in monoplegia and severe adult scoliosis. Her current estimated joint age in her spine is 89 years old and 96 years old in her knees. Liz also suffers from an autoimmune disease, resulting in anemia, making her prone to gastrointestinal bleeds. In the past 3 years, Liz has been under anesthesia 15 times.

7 major surgeries and 8 procedures. She had 2 spinal surgeries and still needs 2 more. Because of all of the procedures, it has caused her teeth to break. She now needs a major amount of dental work, including needing dentures.

Without Sherri and being unable to work, means Liz will have a variety of expenses that she is unable to handle. She is currently on restrictions which include twisting, reaching, bending and lifting no more than 5 pounds. To put into perspective, a gallon of milk weighs approximately 8 pounds. At this time she is not able to pick that up.

Liz utilizes a walker within her home but requires a wheelchair and specialized transportation outside of the home. The impacts she faces due to these circumstances, are her inability to accomplish simple household tasks such as cooking, laundry, dishes and making the bed.

Despite family assistance and some assistance from outside agencies, we are unable to cover everything. The process to receive disability has been a very long process. She is still waiting to hear if those benefits will be coming in. In the meantime we are asking for donations to assist Liz in maintaining her independence and household. Liz could benefit from donations to help with purchasing essential household items such as toiletries and non food grocery items. (toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, kleenex and over the counter medications), phone, internet/streaming services for numerous online doctors appointments, out of pocket costs for medications that are not covered by insurances and housing related expenses such as rent, trash removal, utilities and mowing/snow removal. Liz could also benefit from donations to go towards her loving 18 year old cat. Due to age, the cat requires moist cat food and medications which can be costly. All things she has no income to cover.

Right now she cannot easily drive, but car related expenses still exist. (Registration, insurance, inspection and gas). Keeping the car up to date is important. Liz is hoping that after the next 2 surgeries she will be well enough to travel alone in a car.

We are hoping to come together to help Liz through these trying times but are beginning to realize that "it takes a village".

Please consider donating to help us get her through this difficult time. If you are unable to make a donation, keeping Liz in your thoughts and prayers is always appreciated!! Thank you for reading Lizs story.