Easing Joyce's financial burdens

This Gofundme  was written as a group effort amongst Joyce Kruse's family: Her children Micah, Celeste, and Monica and their spouses Aicha and Ben.



In our efforts with helping our mom, Joyce, during her times of poor health, we have come to realize that there are some matters that are beyond our capabilities, so we are reaching out for assistance from those are willing to help.

While realizing that people who donate to a cause want to be invested in the knowledge of where their money is going, we feel it is important to walk the delicate line between explaining enough of our mom's health related turmoils to catch our friends and loved ones up to speed while preserving her dignity by omitting some of the most intimate details.  

(A few years ago: Joyce with her Grandson: Micah and Aicha's son)

Some of you call her the sweetest lady you have ever known.

Well, let's face it. It's safe to say that most of you probably do? :) 

(Micah and Joyce a few years ago)


To some she is family or a childhood friend. Some of you may know her as a friend from church or from your church many years ago. She may have been your former teacher or your former Special Education Para.  She may have done calligraphy work for you or given you calligraphy lessons.



She may have cleaned your house or you fondly remember listening to her playing the dulcimer. Perhaps you remember brushing her repunzel-esque hair during our childhood slumber parties. 



(Joyce with Monica in 1997)

Maybe you don't know her at all, but you feel like you do because you know how much she means to all of us.

(Monica, Joyce, and Celeste a few years ago)

We know her as Mom (and Memom) and our mom has been sick.  

Over the years, her health has been declining - largely due to digestive issues. About 3 years ago, we nearly lost her and she had to have a surgery. Since then, she has been through many doctors, nutritionists,  tests, and physical therapy sessions. 

While we would see minor improvements, ultimately, they were temporary and her health deteriorated to the point where she had to leave work, stop going to church, stop having a social life, and even stop babysitting her grandchildren and living on her own.

(A few years ago: Joyce at Monica's wedding dancing with her granddaughter Charlotte- Celeste's daughter.)

In an effort to gain back some quality of life, our mom recently  had to go through another major surgery-  a Colectomy . Since this procedure has taken place, her health has improved in some instances, but in other ways, the adjustment has been very difficult with a few trips back to the ER and hospital. She is still unable to live on her own (although she still has her own place) or watch her grandkids or socialize for very long. Due to her food restrictions, she is no longer able to maintain the diet she used to utilize to keep her Fibromyalsia and Arthritus  symptoms at bay and the  result of that has been taking a toll on her, as well.


(One of Joyce's latest hobbies: Participating in the FB Group "Rock My Way")

Previously, she had a temporarily leave of absence from her job as a High School para educator. During this time, she applied for disability from the state, but was denied. Her doctors no longer advise her to work as it is an impossiblitily, so we have reapplied for disability. Unfortunately, we have been advised that this process may take up to 4 months.

This is where we need some help. Her savings are not going to be enough to sustain her costs for four months.

She is currently staying with Micah, but we are hoping to maintain her place in her housing community because we are seeing enough improvements to remain optimistic that she will get back to that place.  We have tried to help what we can until this point.  However, at this time, we need to look towards those who care with some assistance with funds to put towards her rent, car payments, utilities and medical bills for a couple of months until her disability kicks in.


(Joyce and her kids and their spouses Ben and Aicha a few years ago)

Many of you have asked how to help. To be honest, due to the fact that so much help towards those in need  relies around making meals, which is tricky with our mom's case, we have been unsure to answer, but this, we feel is the best way to answer that question.

(Joyce's grandkids)


The last thing Joyce ever wants to be is a burden onto others, so she would never ask for this herself (although she is aware of the Gofundme campaign).  If she had only one piece of clothing in her possession and someone complimented her on it, she would likely give it to them, in fact- and she has, with many similar instances, many times over. She hasn't had it easy-especially with being a single mom with health issues.

We understand the holidays are tough, but even any little bit that you can contribute would add up and help.  Sharing the post to gain more exposure outside of our personal friend lists would be helpful as well.

To those of you have helped already: We thank you so much! It is so appreciated. Thank you for reading.