Support Teresa & Ann's Journey to Stability

I’m Erin, and I am delighted to introduce you to the kindest people I’ve ever met. Teresa and I met as kids performing in community theater in South Florida. Over the years, Teresa and Ann have become our family, sharing holiday meals and memories with us. Now they are in need of support. Here is their story in their own words.

From Ann:

I worked as a nurse for 31 years, specializing in pediatrics and mother-baby. I was proud to be known for going above and beyond what was required to make sure my patients and their families felt seen, valued, and cared for. In 2003, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called sarcoidosis. I was forced to stop working at that time due to decreased lung function, circulation problems, and whole-body arthritis caused by the disease. I have also become an insulin-dependent diabetic, have experienced frequent falls - twice resulting in broken bones, and I cannot walk without a walker or go anywhere independently.

From Teresa:

I graduated with my education degree in 2005 and for 10 years I taught elementary school students in Central Florida. I loved getting to know my students on a personal level and I think my colleagues would say that I genuinely liked and respected my students and that my students always felt loved and valued in my classroom. After years of constant infections, unexplained fevers, intense fatigue, and chronic pain, my symptoms unfortunately became too severe, and after going on leave, I was forced to resign from teaching in 2014. I was finally diagnosed in 2021 with Common Variable Immune Deficiency, a rare illness for which there is no cure, only medical management. I administer subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy each week, which allows my body to fight off most infections but does little to alleviate the other symptoms, and many days I am unable to get out of bed. In addition, between the immune deficiency and complications from medications, my teeth deteriorated to the point that I had to have them all removed and now wear dentures. I still haven’t given up hope of more effective treatments that will help to better manage my symptoms so I can return to the classroom as a substitute teacher or classroom assistant. I miss the kids!

Why We’re Asking For Your Help:

In 2018, we unexpectedly lost our husband/father Anthony (Tony), the rock and protector of our little family. It has been a struggle ever since, both emotionally and financially. Though we receive minimal financial assistance due to our disabilities, we struggle to pay for everyday needs.

With the rising homeowner's insurance cost on our home, we are scared. We aren't going to be able to make up the difference in cost and we want to avoid foreclosure. Our goal is to sell our home in Florida by August of this year. We are moving north, where the weather is easier on our bodies, and where can can find a more affordable home that allows us to keep up with the cost of living.

Your donation will be life-changing, as we plan to choose a location that will allow us to live within our means and also be closer to family. Your contribution will help fund our purchase of packing materials, inspections, moving help, and travel costs ... all necessary but just too much for us to afford on top of our current day-to-day and health expenses at this time. That's why we need your help!

Those of you who know our family know that we always gave to people in need throughout the years. Now we are the ones in need and we are humbly asking for assistance. Please know that anything you can contribute will be much appreciated. And let us all keep one another in prayer!

Love,

Teresa & Ann Pizzoferrato