I will start by saying that I discovered that a dear friend from middle school and beyond has been facing some financial difficulties due to many factors, including medical conditions and illnesses that have made it so she has been unable to work for some time. Although she and her husband have been squeaking by, they were informed that there is a shortage in their mortgage escrow. If they aren't able to produce $2,800 to cover the shortage before April 1, their mortgage would be increased by over $400 a month, and that's just not something they can't afford. Add to this that they are being forced to find new homeowners insurance, which will be a burden and an unexpected additional cost yet to be determined. I'm hoping that the community of friends and family who know and love them may be able to pull together and chip in some money to help them get on solid ground.

Josie is the last person to ever ask for help or complain about how hard of a hand she was dealt in life. Anyone who knows Josie knows that her life has never been easy, yet she has always been a strong force. When someone told her she couldn't do something because of her disability or because she was in a wheelchair, she would say, "Oh yeah...watch me!" I figured in this case it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission to ask her community for some help. It takes a village, and she's always the first one to step up and offer assistance when others are in need.

I know times are tough for many, but I also feel that there are many people who would want to help. Together, I think we can raise the funds to help her and Bruce take care of this unexpected burden.

As most of you who have known Josie for years know she was born with Cerebral Palsy, and also has a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome- or EDS which can cause spontaneous ruptures. More recently she was also diagnosed with Endocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency- EPI: So food doesn't break down the way that it should. These have caused he terrible additional medical problems resulting in her not being able to work and accruing many medical bills and unexpected expenses. She would never ask for help but no one can do this alone and she shouldn't have to!