Trying to survive...

Many of you know the struggles Gerard and I have undergone since leaving DC for NC in 2016. We have been homeless three times, lost everything we owned and had saved, and have persevered through health challenges that left us bankrupt. I wish I could say things are better. We are back in the place where we need help and support--even if it is just your friendship, listening, or some kind words. Here's where we've been since 2018.

In September 2023, Matt had a stroke and was out on short-term disability through January. The insurance company that covered his short-term disability decided that it was a pre-existing condition and stopped benefits after 12 weeks. That said, Matt has made leaps and bounds in his recovery, but he is unable to return to work full-time if he follows the doctor's orders. He has been back at work 25 hours per week since January. He has undergone and is still undergoing weekly therapy to help him recover, get to his new normal, and get back to the things he loves. On top of this, he has battled depression while trying to get by on two part-time salaries. We are now over $8500 in debt with Duke Medical with them proceeding to collections. We are also unable to afford his medications--he stopped taking them last week. If you know Matt, you know he has an anticoagulation problem and requires blood thinners every day to prevent blood clots. When he was diagnosed with this blood disorder, he was riddled with pulmonary embolisms. But a good doctor and time got everything under control. This, coupled with the medication to help his stroke, keeps him alive and well. Unfortunately, we can't afford them any longer. We are so thankful, though, that he has a good job that has worked with him through recovery and has given him the opportunity to work remotely, but it does not offer insurance for part-time workers.

Gerard also has health problems that require daily attention/medications and that our insurance doesn't cover 100%--and he has developed seizures. We spent last night in the emergency room because of the seizures. His medication is just as necessary as Matt's, but we cannot afford it. Gerard is still working in the same job--it's been 4 years now--at the townhouse association. While it doesn't pay a lot, he has the stability of a job while giving him an opportunity to find other work. His employer does not offer health insurance either. It comes out of our pockets.

Many of you might know Sterling, our dog who entered our lives in 2013. He has been our salvation through such hard times. In December, Sterling was diagnosed with cancer and needs surgery to remove tumors around his butt. He has good days and bad days. We spent $2,000 trying to find out what was wrong with him--he wouldn't eat, was lethargic, and vomiting. The treatment for Sterling's tumor and growth removal is between $8,500-10,000. He's also on a special low-fat diet to prevent another flare-up of pancreatitis. We definitely cannot afford this, so we have opted to balance the good and bad days with palliative care. We know the day will come soon when we have to say goodbye, but until then, he is our everything.

Back in 2018, we had a GoFundMe campaign. Many people came together to help us buy our 2007 Honda van after our old car was beyond repair. The van has been very good to us. It has 287,000 miles on it, but it also requires repairs. It needs a new timing belt and crankshaft repairs to stop oil leaking for the price of $2,100. If repaired, it should last another 50-60,000 miles. If not, the van will die one day soon, leaving us without transportation to get Gerard to and from work. We are thankful that Raleigh Auto Care has been so honest and helpful with keeping the van running as best they can for us. However, a van repair is at the bottom of the list of priorities, but one more worry we deal with every day.

We are asking for financial help to address these issues--hopefully allowing us to focus on our health and getting better. Every day we choose between food, shelter, or medication because we just can't afford all of them. We do not have any credit or ways to float payments. We also have no family or support system. It's just the three of us, trying our best to survive and make the world a little better. Any donation is helpful--and if you can't give a donation, at least reach out to us and let us know how you are doing. We have alienated everyone from our lives because we were so tired of telling people the bad things. There has to be a break sometime. This is our last hope....