Please Help Our Family - Medical & Financial Emergency

My name is Nicole and I’m a proud mother of 2 amazing young gentlemen: Matt, 31 & Alex, 19. My goal as a mother is to be available and provide a safe space to support both of my sons during current, ongoing difficult life experiences.

A little about Matt…

Since 2018, Matt has been battling lung disease, which resulted in right heart failure at 25 yrs old. Matt was put on numerous medications & oxygen. He requires a lung and heart transplant once the target BMI has been reached.

Due to the medications, the doctors, nurses and staff that care for him – he is here today. Within the last few years, a combination of the medications, healthier eating habits and smaller portions allowed Matt to lower his A1c enough to no longer need medication for his Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis. The specialty medications have recently allowed Matt to only require oxygen during the nighttime. Matt was able to lose 155 lbs in 3.5 yrs.

A little about Alex…

Alex is currently in his 2nd yr in college. Alex has been through his own difficult life experiences since childhood. He is on a path, working towards clarity. This is a very difficult time, yet he has chosen a path of healing and growth. Obviously, Alex is very concerned about his big brother, the current health concerns, the upcoming invasive procedure, the results and impact.

About Me…

I’m a mom. I am the medical advocate & caregiver to Matt. I am a retired systems engineer, a stroke survivor and legally blind. Reminder: Being legally blind does not make me incapable of being a mother or a caregiver…

My job is to make sure:

- The bills are paid.

- The medications are documented, refilled, organized and available.

- The emotional support animals are healthy & happy.

- Cleaning and organizing are priority, as it makes things easier for me to find (low vision…).

- The environment is calm and easy-going to allow for a comfortable place to exist.

- Healthy meals are available…

- The medical planning/research/communications are up-to-date.

- Just being a supportive mom when I am offered the chance.

What is this about?

We moved to the Extended Stay America Suites - Elmhurst O’Hare for the following reasons:

- We are close to hospitals/paramedics/family, Matt’s oxygen supply company & pharmacies.

- To support my 19 yr old son, Alex, as he goes through his college experience at IIT and all of those life experiences that we of a certain age may remember.

- We are minutes from my weekly support groups.

- We are minutes from food pantries.

- I have the ability to cook from scratch for healthier family meals due to the kitchen availability.

- The hotel has a 24 hr front desk to help with specialty medication deliveries.

Primary Issues:

After 1 year of following the pricing discounts at the Extended Stay America - Elmhurst O’Hare, I decided to relocate. We did so on 3/14/2024 for a 361-night stay, which will be extended. The booking reservation was confirmed on 1/24/24, along with the promotions for discounts of 60% off of the daily rack rates for stays of 60+ nights.

- We are considered permanent residents due to the duration of the stay (30 nights or more). In the state of Illinois and the Village of Addison, “permanent residents” or long-term stays are exempt from City and State Room taxes due to those being “transient” taxes. The State taxes have been exempted, however, the City taxes are being charged daily. Local, county & state municipal codes denote that these charges are illegal for “permanent residents”.

- During this stay (234 days to date), daily room estimation numbers created back in January of this year are being charged daily. This means that the promotions of the “Perks” programs are not being honored based on the daily rack rates.

Example of 11/2/24:

- Daily Room Rack Rate: $101

- Daily Room “Estimate from 01/2024” Charged: $79.99

- This is not the Perks offer of 60% Off of “60 nights or more”.

- 60% Off of $101 = $40.40

- This would show that I am being overcharged $39.59 on 11/2/24.

- The local General Mgr & District Mgr have refused to take any action to resolve the issue.

- The General Mgr does not respond to email or paper communications.

- The District Mgr hung up on me, stating that nothing was wrong with the account.

- I’ve been given another employee to “work with”. Nothing has happened to show that this hotel has any plan to honor their promotions

We are in dire need of Help…

Recently, a visit to Matt‘s cardiologist identified that his heart failure is worsening. An invasive heart procedure has been scheduled for mid-November. This procedure will assist the doctors with information that will help to guide them while working to ease the distress Matt’s heart is experiencing.

One of the most difficult barriers that Matt lives with is a panic disorder. Matt lives within a steady state of panic. The upcoming testing and procedures will cause a great deal of fear. In 2018, Matt experienced the same upcoming procedure. However, the medications utilized for the procedure did not work and he was awake and aware the entire time. Matt is autistic and is very uncomfortable being touched, yet he was aware throughout the entire procedure. This was horrific for him. We are working with his team to ensure this incident does not repeat. This is a very scary time for our family.

Matt has the most amazing team of doctors, nurses, technicians & medical staff that have been beneficial in helping him work towards his goals.

What do we need?

Due to the lack of action to resolve the daily hotel fees, we are in need of help to pay the hotel overcharges, medications, gas to get to/from hospitals/pharmacies, and fresh fruits and vegetables to fit within the heart-healthy diet that will help Matt reach his goals. This amount would help through the month of December, allowing more time for the hotel to resolve the billing errors.