The Immediate Problem:

Hi, I'm Janni. I am a 60 year old physically disabled woman living in Northwest Georgia with 5 autoimmune diseases (which cause chronic, debilitating pain 24/7) as well as a neurological condition that causes recurring migraines, dizziness, balance problems, and nausea. I am wheelchair dependent and housebound.

I discovered in the winter that I not only have termites but also a rodent infestation in the crawlspace of my home. I had a former neighbour who is an exterminator come out and eyeball things. He said that the termite damage APPEARS to be historical - in that they have come and gone- but they did do a bit of damage to some beams in the center part of the flooring structure, so this will need to be addressed. The worst problem appears to be the rodents. They are everywhere, and they are pulling out insulation and will start destroying wiring and such very soon if they are not eradicated.

This is gutting me on so many levels. I am an animal lover, and they are so adorable, but they also carry diseases, and they can cause great destruction. I have grown accustomed to having working electricity, etc, so I do need to get rid of them.

Since my former neighbour looked it over, I have had several companies out and have been given a ballpark figure of around $4350 to treat not only the rats but also the termites, and to repair the damage and seal off all the ways they were getting in. Then, it will be about $80 monthly to get them to come back and keep doing termite and rodent prevention. I cannot afford another bill, but at the same time, I can't afford to lose my house to these creatures. It's all I have.

Because of my illness and disabilities, I depend on a Social Security disability check each month. It is my only income. It barely covers my mortgage payment, which just recently went up $350/month due to an increase in property taxes where I am (Catoosa County< Georgia, USA). I am dependent on friends A LOT, but when emergencies like this come up, I have nothing in savings at all, as any extra money that has been gifted to me in my situation over the past few years has had to immediately go towards medical-related bills and expenses.

I *hate* begging for financial help. It kills me to even be forced to live on social security disability. There is a level of guilt and shame there for me that I can never fully convey. I realise that I have paid into social security since I was 14 years old and got my very first job, so it is something to which I am entitled, and I know that my medical situation is beyond my control, but having to rely on it does nothing for my pride and independence. I would love nothing more than to be able to reclaim my health and to find a job, but at this moment in time, it just isn't possible.

If simply relying on disability stipends affects me like this, you can probably imagine the effect that having to come on this platform and beg for emergency help has. It's not good. :-(

With that said, this is a needs-must situation. I have set the goal amount where I did because I am not only going to need to treat the situation, but I am also going to have to have some damage repaired.

Any excess funds raised (if I am that lucky) will go towards repairing some rotted boards/uprights on my front porch as well as railings that are rotting, splitting, and dangerous.

All of this would enable me to have a safer, more hygienic house to live in. When one is battling multiple health issues and disabilities, this is a big priority. I just want to be safe and healthy. I know it's a lot of money and a big ask, but maybe if many people donated just a little bit, I could make it happen.

One big FAQ that I always get is: Why don't you just sell your house and move somewhere else - like to an apartment, or to a nursing home, etc, and that's a good question, but it isn't something that is feasible for me. Trust me, I have explored all of the options. I've spoken to realtors. I've been advised against selling. It's a seller's market right now, not a buyer's. I would not be able to sell this home for enough to be able to buy something else, with cash, and in my current situation, I would never be approved for another mortgage. I also would never be able to afford a nursing home, nor do I have any desire to live in one - that's one of my biggest fears! I managed to prevent my Dad from ever living in one, and it was one of his biggest fears as well, so I am really happy that I was able to keep him here with me. Likewise, I never want to end up there. As for apartments, rent prices around here cost far more than my monthly mortgage payment. So... for the time being, I am stuck here. And to be fair, it's a decent little house and it's a roof over my head - so I am grateful to have it. Anyway, I do hope that clears up these questions. :-)

Thank you so much for your consideration.

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A Little Backstory About Me:

My name is Janni. I am a 60-year-old, physically disabled and chronically ill woman with autism who is wheelchair dependent and homebound. After having suffered the last several years with multiple autoimmune diseases, I have also been saddled with a condition called idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) (also known as pseudotumor cerebri or PTC). This causes ongoing migraine, dizziness, nausea, and eyesight problems, as well as hearing loss.

I spent 4.5 years trapped on the upper level of my house before gradually getting downstairs to a place somewhat accessible to me. Despite all of that, I was the primary caretaker for my elderly father, who was terminally ill with lymphoma. I had hospice support for him once a day for about an hour, but other than that, I was on my own - and although it was challenging, it was my honour to care for him. I managed all of his medications, and I prepared all of his meals from upstairs, and then, via a rigged system on the stairs, I got his meals down to him. We made it work. Sadly, I lost my father (who was my rock and my best friend) in October of 2022. The stress of everything, on top of my health issues, had a knock-on effect on my mental health as well as physical, and I got sicker and sicker.

Then, in September 2024, I had a craniotomy to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak caused by my IIH/PTC. I am still trying to recover from that and having more issues with ongoing dizziness, balance problems, nausea, migraines, and worsening vision. I see a barrage of specialists, and am thankful to have a dear friend take me to all of those appointments, but it is quite taxing. I'm proud of what I have been able to accomplish since my Dad passed away in 2022, but I am still not as independent as I want and need to be. I'm still trying, though... I'm too stubborn to just give up (though I have come close several times).

I want to be someone who can be a helper, not the person who needs help. I keep striving for that. Maybe someday it will happen. I just have to have hope...

On the days when my health allows, I like to drive my wheelchair outside on my driveway, where I have some potted plants and flowers I enjoy tending to. I also enjoy sitting and watching the birds and any other animals that scamper through my yard. We get squirrels, bunny rabbits, deer, foxes, raccoons, wild turkeys, and more! I love them all! I also have an indoor kitty cat named P.K. and 4 little indoor birdies. They keep me company, as this life tends to be rather lonely.

Hopefully, that gives you a tiny glimpse into who I am, so you can better know who you're helping. Thank you so very much - even if you can't donate, maybe you wouldn't mind sharing my link for me? Sending much love... ❤️