Support for Maria's Family in Crisis

My parents were married for 56 years. My mom was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2010, while my dad was diagnosed with Diabetes in 2014 and Stage IV Prostate Cancer in 2016. While taking care of my oldest with intellectual disabilities and my youngest son, I gave up my career to care for my kids and my parents. I assisted my mom with her Parkinson's and my dad with his chemotherapy appointments.

My mom fought Parkinson's for many years and watching my parents with a degenerative disease on a daily basis was even more challenging. On June 1st, 2024, I stepped away for a few minutes only to find my mom on the floor. She was a high risk faller but used a walker. My mom had fallen several times that week and usually would get up. This time, she didn't. I cried and screamed as my mom was no longer responsive. She passed away in my arms. After a hard fall to the ground, she damaged her brain stem and became brain dead.

My mom set aside a bit of money for her funeral which tremendously helped. After my dad and my kids witnessed my mom's passing, my dad's health plummeted and his Prostate Cancer PSA levels went from 9 to 138. After a visit to the ER thinking it was possibly a UTI infection, they found that my dad was losing blood significantly but could not find where the blood loss stemmed from. After giving my dad a blood transfusion, it helped but started to decline again.

Two weeks after my mom's funeral, my dad's long time oncologist informed me that my dad's Prostate cancer spread into the bone marrow and stated the Cancer meds he was receiving was no longer working and gave my dad less than 2 to 3 weeks to live if we're lucky. In addition, I became the court appointed guardian to my dad's 86 year old sister whom my dad used to help but after becoming wheelchair bound, I took over.

My dad did not set aside anything for his funeral nor did my aunt. On top of that, my son with intellectual disabilities had also gone through his share of adversity and was finally accepted into an independent living skills program at a four year university. He was approved for a small grant but the tuition is still significant and even more difficult because he had no luck finding a job to work. My oldest has faced adverse situations where he volunteered to work but was never hired despite him being a hard worker.

I myself have put off my career for a number of years to care for my son, my parents, and my aunt. Certain states will approve you to get paid as a caregiver, but it has been quite difficult in NC. It took a lot for me to write this as I usually try to handle things on my own and do not like to burden anyone. However, with the recent loss of my mom, my dad's 2 weeks to live if we're lucky, my son starting college in the fall, and caring for my aunt, I can only pray and hope for a miracle. My mom used to say miracles are everywhere and boy do I need one right now. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and we would appreciate your prayers and if you're able, anything helps.

Sincerely,

Maria Cuaresma