Hi, I'm Christopher DeJoseph and I need help. It's difficult for me to ask anyone for any assistance because I've always managed with family; we helped and took care of each other. For the first time in my life, I have no family. I spent the last few years taking care of my mom and scraping by doing so. She passed away about 6 months ago, and it was sudden and crushing. I've been dealing with depression ever since. Finalizing everything after her passing and keeping things going in my home has been financially crushing. I've gone into debt trying to keep up with it all and sought assistance through government programs, but there aren't many to help in my situation, and you have to jump through hoops to get anywhere if you even qualify. I've had a heart condition my whole life, which made some things a little more difficult for me, but I was always strong enough to manage and get along just fine. However, in recent years, especially post-Covid (which I've had twice), it has gotten increasingly difficult for me to do the things I used to do. I can barely do simple tasks without getting winded, and it's because I have congestive heart failure with occasional AFib accompanying it.

I would just like to be able to get caught up on my bills and get by until I can get back on Medicaid, which nowadays is a nightmare to get approved for with the current system and lack of concern in that system. I should've never let it lapse, but I was just more concerned with making sure my mom was well cared for. She had dementia, and it was frustrating for us both. What's worse is that no one tells you that you lose them twice, slowly while they're alive and then suddenly when they're gone. I chose to forgo a lot because I kept telling myself I was fine and she mattered more. Well, after she passed, I was defeated. I felt like I hadn't done a good enough job and that maybe I deserved to suffer. I let my medications run out and wasn't taking very good care of myself. Needless to say, I ended up hospitalized. Thankfully, some friends cheered me up and convinced me I had done my best, and most people would've just put mom in a home. I refused to do that because the care she received when she went to some after hospitalization was abysmal. A part of me wanted to give up, but I know mom would want me to go on with my life. I just need some help to get momentum forward while planning my next steps. I'm not asking for the world, just some money to help me catch up on property taxes, bills, debt, living expenses like some new frames for my glasses, and simple things like that. Also, some money to help take care of my doggos, without whom I'd have given up.

They are now my world and I want to treat them like the life-saving best friends they are, because they saved mine. I know times are tough, and if you are unable to assist, please share with friends and family who might be able to. In these tough times, the more people who see it, the more might be able to donate a few dollars. I've never asked for help from anyone before; usually, I was the guy who helped everyone I could, but now I need some. Thank you.