Let's Help Our Friend Wren Estremo
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Dear friends and compassionate souls,
Please consider assisting Karen 'Wren' Estremo, a remarkable woman who has recently experienced another tremendous loss. Just a short time ago, Karen's life was disrupted by the death of her husband of 38 years, Robert, after his lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
As she navigates the overwhelming grief and emotional turmoil, Karen now finds herself facing significant financial burdens. Robert was forced into early retirement by his rapid decline of function from this degenerative disease. State Disability ran out after 12 months (back in 2021), and was a significant decrease from his salary when he worked. More of the burden fell to Karen, and while her little business was doing ok at that time, it was still a struggle. When Robert turned 62 last March, he was eligible for Federal Retirement and Disability through the Social Security Administration, but despite his lengthy disability status, they did not begin making payments until August of this year, with no retroactive payments. The retirement was not even enough to cover the rent, and with the disability added, didn’t cover anything else, but exceeded the threshold for other assistance programs.
Over the last 2-1/2 years, Karen’s business has gone down steadily (about 65% down from this time last year) and Karen relied heavily on credit cards to cover expenses, hoping business would improve. Because there were few resources available, she had to bring in outside help at her business so she could tend to Robert’s ever-increasing needs. Medical expenses added up, even with their health insurance. Durable medical equipment was also required to try to keep Rob safe and comfortable at home, and that was another significant expense.
Caring for a terminally ill spouse took its toll on Karen’s physical and mental health as well.
Robert canceled his life insurance policy in 2008, following the death of their daughter, Arielle. By the time he decided he needed life insurance again, he was uninsurable. When Robert died on October 3rd, Karen was left with a mountain of debt, zero assets, and a failing business. As she mourns the loss of her soulmate, Karen is also burdened with the fear of losing everything they worked so hard to create.
This is where we can make a difference. By coming together as a community, we can provide Karen with the support she desperately needs during this difficult time. Our goal is to alleviate the financial strain she's facing, allowing her to focus on healing and rebuilding her life. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant impact on Karen's journey towards stability and hope. Your generosity will help cover immediate expenses, provide a safety net for the future, and offer Karen the peace of mind she deserves.
Let's rally around Karen 'Wren' Estremo and show her that she is not alone in this journey. Together, we can help her find solace, strength, and the financial stability she needs to move forward. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Barbara Decker
Organizer and beneficiary
Barbara Decker
Organizer
Santa Ana, CA
Karen Estremo
Beneficiary