Help John Stay Safe During Covid-19
Donation protected
Hi Everyone:
It’s John Borja.
I hope that you and your family are well and safe during this pandemic
It’s been awhile since I last gave you an update about the status of our welfare. In fact, it was kept a private matter until now.
My wife, Beth, is still in long-term care at the hospital with respiratory issues and diabetes and has been there for over two years. She has improved greatly although she still has a trach to help her breathe and is on a ventilator at night when she sleeps. She is very alert and mobile. We communicate by phone daily since visitation has stopped during the pandemic. During the Covid-19 outbreak, she is in the best possible place with the best possible health care. I miss her very much.
As for my own health . . . I had a stroke a year ago and was paralyzed on my entire right side. After aggressive therapy, it took me about 4 weeks to get back to 90% normalcy. I also have diabetes and take insulin.
Medical expenses for both of us have exceeded more than 4 million dollars. After health insurance coverage, our share of costs is in the thousands. Because of these huge medical costs, we have defaulted on our apartment, our second car, and our storage unit. We have gone through all of our savings. There is nothing left.
For about a year and a half, I have been living out of my car. (It’s ok . . . I actually got used to it. The free gym membership helped.). But because of the coronavirus pandemic, I needed to “take cover”. So I had no choice but to check into a hotel. I’ve done the research on rates and this place is the cheapest. It has a kitchen which really helps. My reservation is month to month and I pay week to week. I’ve been here since April 3, 2020. Because of the pandemic, I need to stay here to be safe. Otherwise, I would go back to staying in my car.
I ruled out homeless shelters because of the huge risk of catching the virus there. I’ve applied through the San Diego Housing Commission for a one-time rental assistance package, but my application was rejected because I was not considered a renter, even though I was considered a long-term resident at the hotel. I am currently appealing this decision to the housing board.
I am in trouble and am asking for your help if you are able to do so.
Please let me explain.
It’s been a real struggle to pay for the hotel. All of my social security and pension go to the hotel . . . at least it covers 3 weeks of every month. So I end up behind every month in my payments. It has now come to the point that the hotel is demanding all past due amounts be paid or I lose the room and go back to living in my car. During the pandemic, going back to living in my car will put me at great risk .
Can you help me in any way to stay a little longer? If you cannot, I understand. If you have helped me in the past, I thank you. I just ask if you can forward my request to someone you know who might be able to help. The amount listed on this page is approximate because I do not know when this pandemic will end. I would also like to pay back those who have expressed their generosity in the past.
I am usually a positive person with a terrific outlook on life. But it has been a great challenge over the last couple of years and I would like to try to get through it with your help.
Thank you and stay safe.
It’s John Borja.
I hope that you and your family are well and safe during this pandemic
It’s been awhile since I last gave you an update about the status of our welfare. In fact, it was kept a private matter until now.
My wife, Beth, is still in long-term care at the hospital with respiratory issues and diabetes and has been there for over two years. She has improved greatly although she still has a trach to help her breathe and is on a ventilator at night when she sleeps. She is very alert and mobile. We communicate by phone daily since visitation has stopped during the pandemic. During the Covid-19 outbreak, she is in the best possible place with the best possible health care. I miss her very much.
As for my own health . . . I had a stroke a year ago and was paralyzed on my entire right side. After aggressive therapy, it took me about 4 weeks to get back to 90% normalcy. I also have diabetes and take insulin.
Medical expenses for both of us have exceeded more than 4 million dollars. After health insurance coverage, our share of costs is in the thousands. Because of these huge medical costs, we have defaulted on our apartment, our second car, and our storage unit. We have gone through all of our savings. There is nothing left.
For about a year and a half, I have been living out of my car. (It’s ok . . . I actually got used to it. The free gym membership helped.). But because of the coronavirus pandemic, I needed to “take cover”. So I had no choice but to check into a hotel. I’ve done the research on rates and this place is the cheapest. It has a kitchen which really helps. My reservation is month to month and I pay week to week. I’ve been here since April 3, 2020. Because of the pandemic, I need to stay here to be safe. Otherwise, I would go back to staying in my car.
I ruled out homeless shelters because of the huge risk of catching the virus there. I’ve applied through the San Diego Housing Commission for a one-time rental assistance package, but my application was rejected because I was not considered a renter, even though I was considered a long-term resident at the hotel. I am currently appealing this decision to the housing board.
I am in trouble and am asking for your help if you are able to do so.
Please let me explain.
It’s been a real struggle to pay for the hotel. All of my social security and pension go to the hotel . . . at least it covers 3 weeks of every month. So I end up behind every month in my payments. It has now come to the point that the hotel is demanding all past due amounts be paid or I lose the room and go back to living in my car. During the pandemic, going back to living in my car will put me at great risk .
Can you help me in any way to stay a little longer? If you cannot, I understand. If you have helped me in the past, I thank you. I just ask if you can forward my request to someone you know who might be able to help. The amount listed on this page is approximate because I do not know when this pandemic will end. I would also like to pay back those who have expressed their generosity in the past.
I am usually a positive person with a terrific outlook on life. But it has been a great challenge over the last couple of years and I would like to try to get through it with your help.
Thank you and stay safe.
Organizer
John Borja
Organizer
San Diego, CA
