Hi, I'm Brett. My mom, Nancy Newell was diagnosed with dementia a little under a year ago. She lives with me and for most of that time I could trust her to be home alone. Unfortunately, that time has passed. She becomes too confused and too agitated when I am not home. A few weeks ago I had to leave my job and stay home more or less full time, excepting grocery and shopping excursions. I believe my presence at home slows the onset of her symptoms. She has someone to remind her of her glory days of teaching kids how to milk goats, Inspiring children in Oakland to pursue art, playing with our two giant great pyranees, and being serenaded to by her pet goose "Pâté." My mom is a lifelong animal lover. As my late father used to say: "if it shits, Nancy has it."

Now to the reason for this fundraiser. As I said, I had to leave my job to watch her. This has put a huge financial strain on us. Her SSA and pension benifits do not cover our cost of living. Help is on the way, though, I have signed up for California's IHSS (In Home Support Services) Program. A program that pays family members to care for disabled relatives. Unfortunately, the process can take at minimum one and a half months and even up to three months. Hopefully I won't have to wait that long but there's no telling. I am only asking for enough to get us through the next month and a half, just so we can get a little breathing room.

Thank you for your time