Help Joe Rebuild After Double Amputation
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Hi, my name is Joe and I have CMT disease. At the beginning of January last year, I had to have a below-the-knee amputation. Then, this December of the same year, I was back in the hospital because I couldn't figure out why I was getting sick, and it kept coming back. So, I went into the hospital where I was told that the bones had become infected, and I am now going to lose my other leg in the same year as the first one. This was devastating to hear since I don't have any family that I really speak to, and now I won't have anyone that will be able to be there for me while I try to recover from such a major life-changing surgery.
So, the day before my surgery, I get a call on my phone from where I had my vehicle parked while I am in the hospital and until I'm able to come back for it. He told me I needed to call the cops because it had been stolen. The bad thing about losing the vehicle is it had everything I owned in it. I won't get into that right now; just know I lost it all, from clothing to important documents to thousands in tools. With it being parked there a while so I could fix the whole front end, I wasn't carrying insurance since I couldn't drive it, so I didn't think it would make a difference. Well, now I'm paying for it because I'm having to bounce around anywhere I can for shelter from the cold without any legs, in a wheelchair that has zero traction on any amount of snow, and can't seem to find any kind of assistance program that doesn't have a really long waiting list before it's your turn.
So, I'm now stuck on my own with only what I can carry in a bag that I have across my lap so I don't lose anything, staying wherever I can to try and stay warm in these freezing temps so I don't have to endure losing any more of myself. Now, I'm doing my best to get copies of my birth certificate, my social security card, and an ID since you need them to be able to get into a place, which will take time and money to do. I've tried to find some way to make money so I can at least get myself a motel room to make sure as my wound heals that I can keep it as clean as possible and keep it from getting infected the best I can.
I have an advocate trying to help, but I'm told with a really big complex that accepted Section 8 getting demoed, they moved the families all over town, which has made it difficult for my advocate to find me somewhere I can go that can accommodate the needs I now have to overcome because of everyday tasks that I will struggle to achieve, tasks that many take for granted every day without really knowing the struggle others have to do those same tasks. But as of right now, until I can come up with the needed documents to get some type of housing and/or assistance to find housing, I'll be stuck outside or having to find ways to pay for a room to keep myself sheltered the best I can.
When I can't, it's usually a very sleepless night being run out of places I'm just passing through, but I try and take a minute to rest my arms, catch my breath, and warm back up a little so I'm not having to worry about frostbite in what limbs I still have left. So, I try not to go where there may be a lot of traffic because cops usually follow not far behind to tell you to move along, which I don't try to cause any problems for them, and most try to be nice about it, some not so much, but I understand why they give me problems. I just hope these waiting lists hurry up so I can get out of the cold for good and into a place that is accessible for me. But until then, I have to figure out how I'm gonna cover any deposits I might have and also find a way to cover what I may need to survive the winter months till then.
Thank you for your time and reading my story. It means a lot to me, and I appreciate any help you may be able to assist me with in my time of need. Thank you for everything. Your help means the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you. You make the struggles I'm going through seem not nearly as bad as they would if I didn't have such caring people from all over showing me support and love, so I know I'm not going through this alone. Thank you, and God bless.
Organizer
Joseph Pennington
Organizer
Fairborn, OH