Help Danielle

Hi friends,

The photo that is shown is Derek carrying Danielle inside our home at her mom's 70th birthday party years ago when Danielle began to loose her ability to walk.

I am writing on behalf of my sister in-law who is in route to the emergency room now with my husband Derek because she can not walk.  Not only can't she walk, she has been crawling around most of the week because her insurance is not covering her meds and she has not receieved any financial support. The system has failed her and keeps failing her and I will leave it at that. Those of you close to her may know her circumstance. Those who are not, I chose not to share her personal information or sitution but it has been grave and depressing for years now.

She has 6 children,  2 of the youngest have resided with her since her divorce years ago, now another two have joined her. She is raising 4 on her own now without financial support, a job, being able to work, and not being able to function normally most days.  All four children attend Cinnaminson schools, two of which were just transferred after moving back in with her. She is having severe trouble with her payments, bills, and just surviving.

Regardless, Danielle has trudged on, still trying to help Derek and Danielle's 74 year old mother take care of their 99 year old grandma who is on hospice in  their mom's home.  Derek's mom works full time while trying to care for her mom and Danielle, not giving much care to herself.  

Personally, it's extremely painful to watch some of the nicest people that I have ever met in my life, suffer great extents to survive daily. There is only so much we can do on our own to help them.

People close to Derek and Danielle and Jeanne know and understand the situation and most likely feel the same despair and frustration  that I do.

I wish I could do more for Danielle and our nieces. Our oldest niece and nephew are on their own.

Danielle has experienced nothing but pain and let down for the past 5 years now and hasn't received much in the way of help because she hasn't asked for any.  Jeanne hasn't either.

I can't imagine being a single mom with MS, not being able to walk and at a point, not even being able to have a cell phone or place to live due to the dire situation that even I am not exactly privy of.

In this holiday season, we all do our share of contributing to charities and supporting families in the Cinnaminson area and/or surrounding areas.

Derek's sister is in great need of any assistance she can get.  

We already fear for her health, her safety, and her kids.  I am not sure why she has not received the medical attention and financial support that is owed to her but this is the last resort.

I have seen this work and I asked Derek if this would be ok.  He looked at me without hestitation and said, "yes".

It isn't easy for anyone to ask for help, let alone accept that it is needed.

I believe in doing what is right, not what is easy.

Someone is suffering. In this case a single mom with MS, my husband's sister, a human being.

If you can, whatever you can, Danielle needs a lift.  Please share with anyone who you could or would imagine that would care to help.

My heart bleeds for her as a mom and as a person.

Thank you and regardless, Have a happy holiday and enjoy your family.

Love,
Ericka and Derek