My name is Deborah Heaslip-Hunt-Dufresne. I'm 70 years old, and I graduated from General Brown in 1974.

37 years ago, we were very fortunate to have our family, friends, and community help us with funds because my youngest son was born with a rare blood disorder and needed to have a bone marrow transplant at the University of Iowa. Danny passed away in September 1989. I have worked over the past 50 years in Watertown and in several other communities.

I now find myself having to ask for my family, friends, and community for financial assistance again. In December 2024, I had to have my aortic valve replaced, and in the process, I had a heart attack, a stroke, and needed a feeding tube. I was in St. Joe's for about 6 to 7 weeks and at Carthage Rehab Center for approximately 2 months. I now use a walker and a wheelchair. My heart function is now down to about 15%. Because of that, I have to wear a heart vest.

We live in a single-wide mobile home with 7 steep steps that I cannot climb due to the stroke and my reduced heart function. In May, I was in the hospital, and they would not release me until I had a ramp installed so I could get in and out. The stroke affected my left leg. The ramp costs $840 a month to rent. Medicare and AARP would not cover the ramp. I did not qualify for Medicaid.

We cannot get any help to have a home health aide, and I need help with transportation to doctors and to get groceries. Besides the cost of the ramp, the cost of that is very expensive. We are in the process of putting in a small double-wide that will have a ramp built in. The present mobile home has to be removed or destroyed, which could cost approximately $9,000. We still have to pay for the ramp until then. We have already paid over $5,000, and the company that has the ramp will not give me a break on the cost. They came in the middle of May to install it and have not had to raise a finger except to collect $840 a month rent.

It is a sad situation. My husband is disabled too, and he has to wait on me hand and foot. We have very little help. Occasionally, to go to doctors and get groceries, whenever we need help, we have to pay someone, and that is expensive after a while. My son is disabled also, and my grandchildren are at school most of the time. Any help will be greatly appreciated.