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Gallagher Family Support & Medical

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Within a few short weeks our lives changed forever. We found out that I had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and that we were expecting our first child. A week after we found out we were having a baby, a neurologist specializing in MS diagnosed me with Secondary Progressive Mulitple Sclerosis (SPMS). That means that the disease has progressed beyond Relapsing/Remitting (R&R), which is the most common form of MS. She told me that unlike R&R my symptoms never go into remission, my symptoms are present all of the time. MS is an illness that effects every aspect of life, it has been described as slowly losing control of your body.

The symptoms affecting me most are fatigue, mobility issues and muscular problems, including severe muscle atrophy, locking joints and twitches or tremors. I have difficulty walking. When I was first diagnosed I was limited only in the distance I was able to walk. Over the course of the next year I grew very uneasy on my feet and needed to use a cane for added stability. The cane only supported me for so long and after suffering from several falls, I realized that I needed to begin using a walker. This gives me the support I need to move around the house or get out to the car and into the doctor's office. But if I need to walk any further than that I have to use a wheelchair or I would not be able to go to places like the mall or the park.

Also within 6 months of receiving the SPMS diagnosis I had lost my job as an Aquarium Service Technician. I was not able to keep up with the requirements  the job in managing multiple accounts and the physical demands of the job. I was also too tired to report to work everyday and had to call in sick frequently.

After speaking with my doctor and realizing that I would not be able to work anymore I applied for Social Security Disability. I have been out of work for 2.5 years and have been waiting to get Disability for 2 years. After being denied by the application I filed for an appeal. It is a very slow process and I'm still waiting to hear back from their office to schedule my hearing. This has driven me into a very deep depression.

We have been living off of my wife's income but it is not enough to support a family of 3 or my medical expenses. In order to make ends meet and put food on the table we have been living off of credit cards. We have maxed out several credit cards and the balances have grown to the point where her income can longer make the minimum payments. She also has about $100,000 of student loan debt from having to finance her Bachelor's and Master's degrees. She put her student loans into forebearance when I lost my job but the time that can be done expires in January. That will add another $600 in monthly payments that we will be required to make but don't have.

We need help immediately. Based on what we know of the Disability process it doesn't seem like I will begin to get benefits for at least another year. I'm looking to raise what my benefit would be for a year for myself and the dependent benefit in hopes that it will be enought to help us manage our monthly payments, expenses and my medical bills. After that we are hoping that I will begin to get Disability benefits and we can start getting our debt under control.

We will be so greatful to anyone that helps us. Every aspect of my life has been suffering since this disease began. It has been weighing heavily on me and putting our marriage to the test. With these funds we will be able to get by and relieve some of the stress and anxiety that is dragging us down.

Thank you,
The Gallaghers

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Donations 

  • R J
    • $100 
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer

Keith Gallagher
Organizer
Centereach, NY

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