Single Dad - Struggling for Air
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Struggling Single Dad cant breathe
For those of us that know Mitch, asking for help would not be easy for my brother to do, yet he’s always been there for others and believed that there was always someone worse off than him.
But struggling with a debilitating degenerative respiratory illness has left him with no way out of the financial crisis that he is now in.
As his older sister I’m desperately wanting to help and somehow take the stress off my brother and his family as he has been such a battler his whole life trying to do the right thing by his girls.
HIS STORY
Since he was born, Mitch has always had respiratory issues. A full time single dad who has devoted his life to raising his two beautiful teenage daughters; Kiani (17) and Summar (15) Mitch, has worked hard all his life on scaffolding sites in Australia and New Zealand as a supervisor.
As a non-smoker, Mitch believes his condition has worsened due to various work sites that he has worked on; one where he was exposed to asbestos. Although, this cannot be proven at this stage, to launch a full-scale enquiry into this matter would take years and right now, Mitch is struggling just to make ends meet for his family.
Unfortunately, due to an unexplained gastro virus, his whole immune system has been compromised and is now in a vulnerable state. His breathing has got progressively worse where, even walking from one room to the next is a huge effort and because of this, Mitch has been unable to work due to going in and out of hospital for the last 13 weeks as well as losing 9kgs in weight. Although his doctors and specialist are continuing tests on him, at this stage he has been diagnosed with severe symptoms of emphysema/Compulsory Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Fortunately, recently he has been able to get on a disability benefit but unfortunately this was with no backpay for the many weeks he was unable to work.
However, we are thankful that this gives him $380.00 a week but still the rent alone is $320.00 per week so, to live on $60.00 a week to purchase food, travel costs, utilities and medical bills is a terrible financial stress on the family let alone the toll of declining health.
To make matters worse, Mitch is currently (7) weeks behind in rent. His landlord has been very understanding and although Mitch has offered to try and paint the house to pay for some of the back rent, Mitch has even had to stop that work due to his failing health.
With Winter and snow approaching in Oxford, Christchurch, New Zealand staying warm is a big concern for us as this will affect his health even more. Although we are thankful that the landlord has given him some grace, time is running out and we are now, at a loss as to where to turn to financially.
As a family we have supported him to try and meet his immediate needs, but this is a lot bigger than we all first thought. Our mother Wilmena, now (83) has tried to support him financially when she can but as a pensioner herself, the toll is heavy on her not to mention the emotional strain.
How Can You Help
If you are reading this, I am asking for your help or anyone you might know who can donate a few dollars no matter how small. We would be so grateful and appreciate your support to help my brother out through a very difficult time in his life.
Also, if you can please support our cause by sharing our page so that he can get the support that he so desperately needs
Kindest appreciation and gratitude
Lisa (Mitch’s Sister)
For those of us that know Mitch, asking for help would not be easy for my brother to do, yet he’s always been there for others and believed that there was always someone worse off than him.
But struggling with a debilitating degenerative respiratory illness has left him with no way out of the financial crisis that he is now in.
As his older sister I’m desperately wanting to help and somehow take the stress off my brother and his family as he has been such a battler his whole life trying to do the right thing by his girls.
HIS STORY
Since he was born, Mitch has always had respiratory issues. A full time single dad who has devoted his life to raising his two beautiful teenage daughters; Kiani (17) and Summar (15) Mitch, has worked hard all his life on scaffolding sites in Australia and New Zealand as a supervisor.
As a non-smoker, Mitch believes his condition has worsened due to various work sites that he has worked on; one where he was exposed to asbestos. Although, this cannot be proven at this stage, to launch a full-scale enquiry into this matter would take years and right now, Mitch is struggling just to make ends meet for his family.
Unfortunately, due to an unexplained gastro virus, his whole immune system has been compromised and is now in a vulnerable state. His breathing has got progressively worse where, even walking from one room to the next is a huge effort and because of this, Mitch has been unable to work due to going in and out of hospital for the last 13 weeks as well as losing 9kgs in weight. Although his doctors and specialist are continuing tests on him, at this stage he has been diagnosed with severe symptoms of emphysema/Compulsory Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Fortunately, recently he has been able to get on a disability benefit but unfortunately this was with no backpay for the many weeks he was unable to work.
However, we are thankful that this gives him $380.00 a week but still the rent alone is $320.00 per week so, to live on $60.00 a week to purchase food, travel costs, utilities and medical bills is a terrible financial stress on the family let alone the toll of declining health.
To make matters worse, Mitch is currently (7) weeks behind in rent. His landlord has been very understanding and although Mitch has offered to try and paint the house to pay for some of the back rent, Mitch has even had to stop that work due to his failing health.
With Winter and snow approaching in Oxford, Christchurch, New Zealand staying warm is a big concern for us as this will affect his health even more. Although we are thankful that the landlord has given him some grace, time is running out and we are now, at a loss as to where to turn to financially.
As a family we have supported him to try and meet his immediate needs, but this is a lot bigger than we all first thought. Our mother Wilmena, now (83) has tried to support him financially when she can but as a pensioner herself, the toll is heavy on her not to mention the emotional strain.
How Can You Help
If you are reading this, I am asking for your help or anyone you might know who can donate a few dollars no matter how small. We would be so grateful and appreciate your support to help my brother out through a very difficult time in his life.
Also, if you can please support our cause by sharing our page so that he can get the support that he so desperately needs
Kindest appreciation and gratitude
Lisa (Mitch’s Sister)
Organizer
Richard Eriwata
Organizer
Oxford, NZ