A friend of ours from Oxon Hill, Judy Clark, is in need of our help.  I’m sure some of you see Judy’s FB comments and wonder what is going on with her. Well, for those of you who do not know, Judy has been bedridden for over 4 1/2 years.  In October 2010 her legs suddenly became non-weight bearing and she spent over a year in two different rehab centers trying to get back on her feet. After hundreds of tests and a dozen doctors, no one can figure it out. Because of severely low blood pressure, she cannot even sit up any higher than about a 45 degree angle.  

Judy worked her entire life for the federal government. She had to retire under the regular retirement system earlier than she had planned and was not financially ready for this. Judy is such a caring and giving person, so giving that when a relative reached out to her for financial help, she did not hesitate and refinanced her house to help out. She was to be repaid in monthly payments, but the death of this dearly loved relative has prevented this from happening and Judy is left with a mortgage payment that she was not prepared for.

Although Judy does have health insurance, it does not cover any of the in-home care that she needs.  She basically lives by herself and has an aide come in twice a day for an hour which is an out of pocket expense of $40 a day, $1,200 per month… all out of pocket.  Her medical supplies are also out of pocket, between $500–$700 a month.   Add in utilities, groceries, etc. and there just isn’t enough to stretch to cover it.  She lives by very modest means.  One luxury she affords herself (if you can call it that) is cable TV and internet which we all know is definitely a necessity and as she puts it….. “I have to have some way to occupy myself during the day/nights”.   

Some days are better for Judy than others and some days are just plain HELL but when you look at her FB posts, you would never know it.  She is always willing to give whatever she can. She sends prayer to others and tries to cheer them  up when she is the one that needs cheering up.  She never has a negative word to say and even though most days she is in pain, she tells others to stay positive.  She is unselfish, giving and a very special person.

Friends have been helping Judy out as much as possible. One friend recently gave her a laptop when hers was dying; another friend stopped over to get a spider off her ceiling that was glaring at her in her bed.  Friends also stop just to cheer her up and give her a hug and just recently a friend came over to pick up her dropped remote. Others bring bobble heads and some special friends bring cookies!  Judy enjoys your company more than words can say. 

Judy would never ask but right now, along with continued friendship, assistance and words of encouragement, she needs help paying some expenses that she is not able to.  She is too proud to ask for your help but it is very much needed.  

Judy is our friend and NEEDS our help! THAT’S WHAT ARE FRIENDS ARE FOR, RIGHT!

Please give whatever you can, nothing is too small but I hope we can all come up with at least $25 or more for our friend!!!

P.S.  Also, please “share” this with your friends since you may have more of Judy’s friends on your friend’s lists.  

One other thing, Judy would love to work (something to keep her busy) so if you have anything she could do at home, from bed.......any type of computer or phone work, please let her know!!