Roof Over My Head Update Goal Down to $1,000

Hello! I am Rowena Cespedes; a retired nurse with work related permanent bilateral knee disability (as per Workers Comp) who got evicted out of my apt of 13 yrs last May 15th, 2023 and lost most of my belongings. I have been living in my car for 11 months now.

I need your kind help pls? .It all started with a whiplash, in 2010 I was stopped in red light then a huge SUV hit my bumper. After a year; work related injury for 3 consecutive yrs ( 2011, 2012, 2013) involving my spine as I fell accidentally at work. Prior to all these work related injuries, I have been on sick leave for bronchopneumonia with acquired severe asthma in 2009. Last 2018; I had bronchial pneumonia w/ cardiac arrhythmia complications; Then, 2019: this work related bilateral knee injury happened, I fell on both my knees in a kneeling position. At the end of 2019 in December, Workers Comp stopped my monthly payments due to some paper works not attended in my MDs office; which I tried to correct the situation and I got approved for physical therapies and the other medical treatments such as injections to both my knees but no monthly disability pay. I had filed for court hearing again but 2020 pandemic set in; I couldn't pursue in court as all offices public / private started to close down ..My court hearing was held by phone but apparently the judge made a decision to open up my case like new.. so started all over again I need to be seen by their MD, but due to pandemic, I was not seen twice and it dragged on ; I lived on borrowed money from families, friends and co workers. October 2020, pandemic eased down a bit as of Nov 2020 forced myself to go back @ work as the temporary deferral of payments to most bills were lifted ; I need to earn to pay my obligations; it was a struggle as I am not fully well with my knee injuries .

In Sept 2021, had to prematurely and abruptly retire due to severity of knee pains; I struggled to commute; I didn’t make it to finish the year to my full 66th birthday in March 2022. I get small pension and small SS benefits due to the years of my sick and work related injury leave along the years.

The money am supposed to receive has been slow coming ; I am homeless for 11 months; since May 15th, 2023; I was evicted from my apt of 13 years lost all of my belongings. Since then I live in my car. During these times, I have been sick in August 2023 with upper respiratory illness lingered almost a month ( no Cov) then on October; fever/chills and upper respiratory in December, Christmas time; I am desperate to end this temporary situation of living in my car especially when it gets freezing outside or hard rainstorms but rents are so expensive nowadays I can’t pay this mostly required paying one month advance, security and deposit. Am paying my car financing ($624.95/month) as my credit went bad the finance officer of the car dealer spent 2 days and 2 nights helping me get an approved financing as I have established clean record with them all through the years since 2002. I have traded in my old car coz it is almost repossessed. I am also paying for my storage $300/month, have to keep up with gas expenses as I use the car around I have to use heat when it’s freezing ; make sure car insurance is up to date I can’t lose my car registration and drivers license if I miss payments; I pay fees for postal box for my mails and have to pay other essential expenses.

Friday, Jan. 26th, 2023; I accidentally fell backwards entering a gas station store to use their restroom. The sliding door closed up on me, I tried to pushed it open as it was so tight in my body but the left side of this sliding door swung open backwards with me on it; I lost my balance fell backwards as I have been using a walking cane to support myself.

If not not for disability with my knees; I would still be working as operating room nurse; am passionate with my job

Would anyone out there please, please ...am asking for your kind help??? So I can get a roof over my head? I would need help for 3months of the home payments required as advance, security and deposit The most I can do is pay it forward when I will be given a chance to start/move on with my life as a retired nurse.

Thank you all so much! Blessings to you all. Pls take care, too. Sincerely, Rowena

Update: 05/08/24

Am currently seeing Wound Care Specialist @NYU Langone in Mineola, NY for traumatic cellulitis left leg wound accidentally hit by my car door 2-3 times; advised to elevate my leg esp @ night; since am staying in my car, I just put it up on the dashboard.

UPDATE:

Wound Care for Cellulitis Left Leg Wound improving; Latest Goal for Funds $!K; Hoping Temporary Situation To End This Month