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Help my parents get back on their feet

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Hey, folks! Thanks for stopping by this page I didn’t think I’d ever be in a position to make but, well, here we are. I’ve always been a strong believer in the idea of community and solidarity: it’s what enforced a lot of my teaching the last two years I was in Santa Cruz, and it’s what I hope I have inspired in my students. It’s for that reason I’ve decided to make this GoFundMe. I feel that my family has exhausted all other options right now, and I truly believe that we are stronger together. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you for even taking the time to read this page.

My father has been disabled for the last four years, and lost most of his eyesight due to not taking care of his diabetes. Working as a server for over 20 years, he was never offered healthcare, which meant he did not have access to any of the medication he needed to maintain his health. After 20 years, and working countless hours a week on his feet, his body gave up: he lost his eyes, he became weak to the point that he couldn’t carry himself without help. Truly, It seemed that his body had given up on him. As a family, we were scared for his life because death seemed imminent.

This time was difficult for our family because we were scared and without many options. I was still substitute teaching and making a mediocre wage; my brother was in school and contributing however possible; and my mom was working tirelessly to make sure my dad was at his medical appointments, driving him everywhere throughout Southern California as doctors tried to figure out what was wrong with him.

After countless medical visits, each costing around $1000, and a surgery that essentially prevented him from going completely blind, he was finally at a place where he could give his body time to heal. It’s been a slow process: the first year alone, he barely had the energy to walk up and down the stairs. By year two, his eye sight began to improve a bit. More importantly, however, is that the state approved his disability, as well as his Medicare/Medical. I’m proud of the progress he has made; the man truly is a fighter, and I feel a deep sense of pride as I watch him heal everyday and grow stronger.

Yet, four years later and my parents are still experiencing the repercussions of an inadequate healthcare system. While Medicare/Medical kicked in a year after his body began failing him, my parents are still paying the medical bills from the first year alone. In total, they owe around $22,000 in medical bills that they then paid off (or tried to pay off) with credit cards. Without ever telling my brother and I, they have been silently trying to make it work. Upon finding out this week, I was angry that we live in a system that does not see healthcare as a right, but a privilege. Now, all I feel is feel heartbreak because my parents have sacrificed so much to ensure they do not place any type of burden on my brother and I. Each month, their income goes to their mortgage, their food, and these bills. They are left with nothing outside of the help my brother and I try to provide.

We’ve all spent sleepless nights thinking about how they can get themselves out of this situation and one thing is certain: we cannot do this alone, which is why I am making this GoFundMe page. For those I consider family/part of my community, you folks know I don’t discuss much about my parents outside of trivial matters. We’re private people, but I don’t see how that’s helping us right now.

While my parents owe $22,000, my brother and I will be helping them out with the other $7,000. While my salary as a new teacher in Northern California wasn’t very high, it still allowed me the opportunity to save some money and it’s for that reason I will be able to help. We are only hoping to reach $15,000. At this point, anything would be an insane help for our family because the remainder would be consolidated under my name. The future is terrifying, but I also believe that it’s during these moments it’s okay to ask for help.

Thank you for reading and thank you for donating. For those of you who are not in a position to do so but want to help, even just sharing this GoFundMe would mean the world to us.

In solidarity and with love,
Luis Chavez
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Donations 

  • Clara Perotti
    • $50
    • 4 yrs
  • Clara Dawson
    • $15
    • 5 yrs
  • Cassie Stephen
    • $50
    • 5 yrs
  • Lindy Yilmaz
    • $40
    • 5 yrs
  • Clara Perotti
    • $35
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Luis Chavez
Organizer
Moreno Valley, CA

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