My name is Charles (Dave) Armstrong, but my need is primarily for my fiance. I am currently having to panhandle at age 84 to help keep her alive. Our need is only temporary.

She has Congestive Heart Failure, and Endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart which flares up now and then and is extremely dangerous. She had open heart surgery 3 years ago to install an artificial valve, and exists on a Pacemaker. She has been in Hospice twice, expected to die, but each time she has fought back and returned to normal health care.

She takes several medications for those conditions, and insurance pays for some of it. When her insurance runs out, I have been paying some of the balance out of my social security. But when my social security runs out, I have been forced to go to the streets and panhandle. This is not only humiliating and shameful, but at my age of 84 being out in the Waterford Township, Michigan cold and snow can be dangerous.

To make matters worse, my cardiologist inserted a pacemaker into the left ventricle of my heart on December 31 because I had a dangerously low heart rate. I'm happy to report that surgery was successful.

Now my cardiologist has scheduled surgery for me next week because I have a 95% blockage in the Carotid Arteries, which provide blood and oxygen to the brain. I'm scared I may not be able to panhandle for a while after that procedure.

My fiance is applying for SSI assistance, but that process drags on.

So what we need is to cover the balance of her medication costs for January. We hope by February SSI will kick in, the problem will be solved, and we will need no further help.

Please help us now?"