Houston Family Health & Home Fund

Greetings, loved ones, friends, colleagues, and all who have a heart to give. We are the Houstons: Robert, Holly, Aja, and Sky. Our story is one of trials, tribulations, faith, and perseverance.

It all began when my father's health rapidly and unexpectedly declined due to complications from Type 2 diabetes. From August 2022 to August 2023, he has had 17 major surgeries, including two operations to recover his eyesight and an above-the-knee amputation of his left leg.

When Dad wasn’t in the hospital, he was in skilled nursing facilities. Nonstop, he has been in and out of 3 different hospitals and 5 skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Each SNF he was in worsened his condition. Due to their negligence, he developed a septic stage 4 pressure ulcer on his sacrum and acute kidney failure. In both cases, he was on the brink of death and had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency procedures. If it weren’t for the grace of God and the love and prayers of family and friends, Dad wouldn’t be with us today.

While Dad was fighting through his healthcare nightmare, the bank foreclosed on our house. And my mom fell while stepping off a curb and broke both feet and an ankle. She had surgery to fix all her injuries.

Now, my parents are recovering in our new apartment under my care. Due to their limited mobility (Mom gets around in a wheelchair and a walker, and Dad is bedbound), I am taking time off from school to do everyday chores, care for my dad's wounds, aid in his physical therapy, and help with his hygiene.

As a consequence of being disabled for a year, Dad was let go from his job, taking away a significant source of income and medical insurance. Mom's injuries have also robbed us of critical revenue.

Thanks to the unyielding support of our church, San Francisco Christian Center, led by Senior Pastor Roderick Gittens and Associate Pastor Ivan Watchter, we weathered the early months of our financial drought. Last year, they were responsible for the GoFundMe, in which family, friends, SFCC members, and other generous supporters donated over $16,000 for our medical and moving expenses. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who was able to give.

Unfortunately, our financial situation has only worsened as we are now half a million dollars in debt from mounting medical bills. This is on top of rent and essential daily living expenses. We don’t know how we will make these payments without the kindness of others.

Our new fundraising goal is $30,000, and with your help, we hope to reach it by February 29th, 2024. Thanks in advance to everyone who can give. We appreciate your financial blessing. For those who can’t but still want to support us, please share this GoFundMe page with your social circles, whether through word of mouth, email, or social media. We’ll be so grateful you did.

God bless you for your compassion and generosity.

With deep gratitude & love,

The Houstons