Mandy Cristy and Dawn Vuto-Medical, Housing, Hardship

2/3-We make this update with heavy hearts. Our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend-Dawn Elizabeth Vuto-has passed away and is awaiting the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please keep Mandy and the family in your prayers. Please continue to donate as you’re able, as Mandy still has a long road ahead and is now managing the grief of losing her mother. Thank you everyone so much for your support.

On behalf of my Grandmother, Dawn Vuto, and her daughter, Amanda (Mandy) Cristy-

Mandy has been the caretaker of my Grandmother for over a decade. As time has passed, health conditions for both have arisen. The bulk of the situation is listed out below and condensed by my husband, Stephen. I think most of us have experienced hardship and have not known where to turn. Mandy has been very transparent in their struggles. If you know my Grandma Dawn-you have probably never heard her complain and know her to be optimistic. She is still just as sweet and tender. Both women have shown trust in God throughout the last several years and now they are calling out to their community. Their network of loved ones.

Thank you for caring ❤️

-Ana Vuto Hyder

Mandy’s story

Mandy has been the primary caretaker of her mother, Dawn, for over ten years. They lived together in Mandy’s condominium in New Jersey. Dawn has severe dementia and rheumatoid arthritis. Her symptoms have worsened over this time period and for some time has required 24-hour care. She has lost the ability to perform most tasks for herself in addition to memory loss.

Mandy had started a work-from-home business to provide for her and her mother. Her only respite from caregiving was taking Dawn to an adult daycare for a few hours a day, which she enjoyed very much. Still, dedicating her time in developing a new income stream was difficult when simultaneously tending to her mother’s hourly needs. And then the COVID-19 pandemic made anything worse.

Unfortunately, Mandy did not qualify for several forms of pandemic relief. Since she was no one’s employee she was ineligible for unemployment. Her income history with her new business was also insufficient for an economic injury loan. And she had no place where Dawn could go anymore for socialization and care, and no health aides were able to visit either.

To cover living expenses during the pandemic and its aftermath, Mandy had to first exhaust her retirement savings and, eventually, used up all available lines of credit. All income from her business was diverted to pay bills rather than being reinvested, limiting the growth of her enterprise. She also had to cover her mother’s medical expenses with what she had, as Dawn was not eligible for Medicaid until this past December.

Mandy’s health issues have worsened during this time. These include painful osteoarthritis of both knees, plaque psoriasis, and chronic wounds. She has had to refuse treatments for her conditions due to cost, which has made working and caregiving more difficult. The added stress of her responsibilities has in turn exacerbated her symptoms. Mandy has dedicated much time securing her mother’s medical care and benefits while neglecting the same for herself. She has had difficulty applying for disability due to the paperwork requirements but currently has a social worker assisting her in another attempt.

Tragically, Mandy and Dawn’s home was sold in a foreclosure auction despite efforts to delay and avoid. They were evicted two days before Thanksgiving last year. There is a surplus from the sale that she is owed but has not yet received. She has not yet been able to obtain legal help in this effort.

Since the foreclosure Mandy has been living in hotel rooms. She has been separated from her mother who is now in a skilled nursing facility in which she shares a small room with another resident. Dawn is safe and attended to, but the distance has been heartbreaking.

Mandy has almost lost everything she had in her desire to provide a home for her declining mother and caring for her needs. She is asking for assistance that can cover housing expenses while she seeks new working opportunities as well as money she is owed and potential disability benefits. Mandy is appreciative and thankful of any help you are able to offer her in this difficult time in her life.