Sheila Hammond Emergency Fund

SHEILA URGENTLY NEEDS OUR ASSISTANCE.

15 years ago Sheila had a successful career as a very talented graphic artist.  She even owned her own home. Then she contracted a chronic eye disease called uveitis.  Uveitis causes extreme eye pain and blurred vision - sometimes to the point of functional blindness.  She also developed cataracts.  Her career was quickly over as was her ability to find new employment.   She also had to give up her home to stay afloat. 

In addition to the eye disease which caused her original disability status, Sheila has now also developed what appears to be either toxic mold illness (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome - CIRS) or Sick-Building Syndrome. Either one causes severe depression, fatigue, weakness, constant headaches, joint pain, shortness of breath, chronic cough, sharp pains, systemic inflammation, serious GI symptoms, insomnia and more.  Sheila suffers from these symptoms 24 hours a day.

Now she finds herself legally disabled and stuck in an unpleasant, cramped Section 8 apartment.  Though unknown at the time she moved in, her apartment is making her quite ill.  When she is away from her apartment for even a short while she starts feeling much better. But upon return her symptoms immediately reappear.  When at her apartment to collect samples for spot mold testing I experienced itching all over my skin and the beginning of a rash after just 20 minutes of exposure. 

Complete testing for mold and the chemicals which cause CIRS or Sick-Building syndrome is very expensive and not covered by Medicaid.  And even if the exact toxins are identified, in Montana the tenant is responsible for mediation - not the land lord, even if they are in the ceilings, walls or central heating unit!  It is much cheaper to simply help her move to a place that has no known mold or chemical toxin problems, unlike where she is now at.

Sheila's disability income is barely enough to feed and clothe her much less allow her to run appropriate toxicity tests or even think about moving to a safe apartment. Unfortunately, the HRDC who assists her has a very long waiting list for very few apartments.  Though the HRDC will help in getting her another Section 8 apartment as soon as they can, she needs to move now rather than waiting months for them to find her something else.  Her health is far to precarious for her to stay where she is at.  And she recently had a very serious spinal infection because of immune problems which required multiple IV infusions of exotic antibiotics, setting her back even further.  There is more, but I think everyone gets the point.  So some of her friends and I have started this campaign to get her moved to a safe place.

Together we can help her get quickly into a safe living space plus some essential medical attention and testing she hasn't been able to afford. 

                   PLEASE DONATE.  ANY AMOUNT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

And if you have or know of a small, mold-free apartment she can rent while she waits for the HRDC to relocate her, please let her or me know.

Thank you for your kindness toward a very deserving woman who has had a long stretch of terrible fortune.  It takes a village...

Dave Vaughan