Help Get Us Back On the Road
Donazione protetta
For those who may not know our story, we are Mark and LeAnna. Quite a few years ago Mark became disabled with chronic lung disease. At the recommendation of his physicians, we sold all our belongings and left Ohio in our classic (old) RV to spend our winters in a warmer desert climate.
We've done volunteer jobs in exchange for living expenses (work camping), and I've worked to augment his disability pension, which allowed us to remodel our 1973 Barth motorhome over the years, and to put a little back into our savings.
On one of the first trips out in our newly remodeled RV the back wheels came off while we were driving down the highway! Seriously, the two back wheels on the driver's side flew off at about 60 miles an hour!
Thankfully, no one was injured, but needless to say, the damage to the RV was extensive. We spent nearly two years just finding all the things that had been damaged and slowly eating away our savings to get them repaired.
Just when we thought we had all our ducks in row, and we were beginning to lose what I termed our "travel paranoia", the unthinkable happened. As we were beginning our preparations to leave the desert before the summer heat arrives, the motor in our RV blew.
We were towed to the shop (thank you AAA), and here we sit...stranded...in southwest Arizona in the middle of a tiny little desert town where the temperatures can be in excess of 125° in the summertime.
After having just replaced the entire rear end last November, we have reached the end of our savings. We have just enough to pay for a spot in an RV park where the shop owner has graciously offered to tow our RV.
The cost for a new motor has been estimated at $10,000. Having it it rebuilt is not really an option as part of the engine broke loose and rattled around long enough to break the engine block. Given the age, damage, and mileage on the old motor, it just doesn't make financial sense to throw good money after bad.
It has been suggested by some of our well-meaning friends and family that perhaps it's time to trade in our RV. However, as you can see from the photo, we've put a lot of money and time into it. We cannot afford to assume a monthly note for another RV. And frankly, another used motorhome would not guarantee we would not find ourselves facing many of the repairs we've already done with this RV. Besides, it's our home.
This was difficult for us to write. We are both very independent people. I think perhaps it is especially difficult for Mark, as he daily faces a life altered by his physical disabiltiy. But sometimes when you do all the right things and you try your best, things just continue to happen and there comes a point when you have to cry "Uncle" and ask for help. We've reached our "Uncle" point.
Not only do we love being able to travel this beautiful country, sharing our travels with others, but more importantly, we NEED to be able to travel to places where the climate is more hospitable to Mark's condition.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If it's possible to help, it will be appreciated. We don't assume we can possibly get donations to meet our needs, but anything helps us reach our goal. And if you wish to share our GoFundMe, please do so.
LeAnna and Mark
We've done volunteer jobs in exchange for living expenses (work camping), and I've worked to augment his disability pension, which allowed us to remodel our 1973 Barth motorhome over the years, and to put a little back into our savings.
On one of the first trips out in our newly remodeled RV the back wheels came off while we were driving down the highway! Seriously, the two back wheels on the driver's side flew off at about 60 miles an hour!
Thankfully, no one was injured, but needless to say, the damage to the RV was extensive. We spent nearly two years just finding all the things that had been damaged and slowly eating away our savings to get them repaired.
Just when we thought we had all our ducks in row, and we were beginning to lose what I termed our "travel paranoia", the unthinkable happened. As we were beginning our preparations to leave the desert before the summer heat arrives, the motor in our RV blew.
We were towed to the shop (thank you AAA), and here we sit...stranded...in southwest Arizona in the middle of a tiny little desert town where the temperatures can be in excess of 125° in the summertime.
After having just replaced the entire rear end last November, we have reached the end of our savings. We have just enough to pay for a spot in an RV park where the shop owner has graciously offered to tow our RV.
The cost for a new motor has been estimated at $10,000. Having it it rebuilt is not really an option as part of the engine broke loose and rattled around long enough to break the engine block. Given the age, damage, and mileage on the old motor, it just doesn't make financial sense to throw good money after bad.
It has been suggested by some of our well-meaning friends and family that perhaps it's time to trade in our RV. However, as you can see from the photo, we've put a lot of money and time into it. We cannot afford to assume a monthly note for another RV. And frankly, another used motorhome would not guarantee we would not find ourselves facing many of the repairs we've already done with this RV. Besides, it's our home.
This was difficult for us to write. We are both very independent people. I think perhaps it is especially difficult for Mark, as he daily faces a life altered by his physical disabiltiy. But sometimes when you do all the right things and you try your best, things just continue to happen and there comes a point when you have to cry "Uncle" and ask for help. We've reached our "Uncle" point.
Not only do we love being able to travel this beautiful country, sharing our travels with others, but more importantly, we NEED to be able to travel to places where the climate is more hospitable to Mark's condition.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If it's possible to help, it will be appreciated. We don't assume we can possibly get donations to meet our needs, but anything helps us reach our goal. And if you wish to share our GoFundMe, please do so.
LeAnna and Mark
Organizzatore
LeAnna Bing
Organizzatore
Madison, SD