The Campbells Need Help.
Donation protected
Dear friends and loved ones,
As many of you know, my husband Rich went into Septic Shock in 2017; and things have been very different for all of us ever since this tragic event has left him disabled. Still, I am extremely thankful that we’re all together. Our three young children and I thank God he’s alive every day.
Rich has been to many doctors and specialists, and has been deemed unable to work. He is often overcome with depression and anxiety so severe that he is unable to get out and do everyday things. He suffers from cognitive impairment and memory loss. Last week, he got in a car accident where he hit a concrete barrier in a parking lot. These are all things that never happened before Rich almost died two years ago.
As of last year, I became the sole provider of our family when I left being a stay at home Mom and went back to work as a special education teacher. This work is wonderful and rewarding, but I do not make enough money for the five of us to get by.
Rich has been applying for disability for about a year now, and we had expected for it to go through a few months ago. However; his private disability plan through his last job was denied, despite having letters from 4 different doctors and neurologists stating that he is not able to work.
Of course we’re appealing that decision; however, these things take time. The application for social security disability is still in process, and it could still take a very long time.
In addition to all of this, I am working this summer; however, I have not been paid yet for any of it. There were also 3-5 days that I had to take off to care for our children when they were sick. Of course I’m constantly following up on it, but even my summer pay is not enough to pay rent; due to having to miss work.
I avoided doing this for a long time; however, I now have to be transparent and say that we need help. We’re about to have zero dollars to our name, and our food stamps are almost out. The little savings we had, has now run out. We’re reaching out to local assistance programs as well, but they say we make too much on teacher’s salary (although it really is only enough to pay for rent and monthly utilities, gas, basic needs, etc.) during the school year.
This means no “extra” things. I own one pair of pants for work, my eyebrows are extremely bushy, and my shoes have holes. My kiddos are also very sad about not being able to afford things like going out to eat. Ever. But I tell them Mama works hard, and that it won’t be like this forever. I will take those sweet babies and my wonderful husband out to eat one day.
Again, I stress that we would have been able to afford rent and basic necessities this summer if Rich’s disability had gone through, along with my summer job (if it had paid me by now). I know I will eventually get paid for it, but as of now things are very desperate and our family needs help.
Things to consider in deciding whether or not to help:
1. Rich has made many efforts to get better and get his disability moving along. He wants so badly to be able to return to work. However, he has had continued health issues. This often leaves him unable to get out of bed. He often cannot stay awake for more than 6 hours at a time.
2. Danielle has helped many people in the past when she could (especially helping with friends’ children and making NJ sausage and peppers for them). She also helped to save two horses two winters ago.
3. We (Danielle and Rich) really would like to be the ones who help instead of the ones being helped, however; right now we really do need a way to make it through this. We can’t wait until we are the ones who can be back to helping others again. Thank you, friends.
Love,
The Campbells
As many of you know, my husband Rich went into Septic Shock in 2017; and things have been very different for all of us ever since this tragic event has left him disabled. Still, I am extremely thankful that we’re all together. Our three young children and I thank God he’s alive every day.
Rich has been to many doctors and specialists, and has been deemed unable to work. He is often overcome with depression and anxiety so severe that he is unable to get out and do everyday things. He suffers from cognitive impairment and memory loss. Last week, he got in a car accident where he hit a concrete barrier in a parking lot. These are all things that never happened before Rich almost died two years ago.
As of last year, I became the sole provider of our family when I left being a stay at home Mom and went back to work as a special education teacher. This work is wonderful and rewarding, but I do not make enough money for the five of us to get by.
Rich has been applying for disability for about a year now, and we had expected for it to go through a few months ago. However; his private disability plan through his last job was denied, despite having letters from 4 different doctors and neurologists stating that he is not able to work.
Of course we’re appealing that decision; however, these things take time. The application for social security disability is still in process, and it could still take a very long time.
In addition to all of this, I am working this summer; however, I have not been paid yet for any of it. There were also 3-5 days that I had to take off to care for our children when they were sick. Of course I’m constantly following up on it, but even my summer pay is not enough to pay rent; due to having to miss work.
I avoided doing this for a long time; however, I now have to be transparent and say that we need help. We’re about to have zero dollars to our name, and our food stamps are almost out. The little savings we had, has now run out. We’re reaching out to local assistance programs as well, but they say we make too much on teacher’s salary (although it really is only enough to pay for rent and monthly utilities, gas, basic needs, etc.) during the school year.
This means no “extra” things. I own one pair of pants for work, my eyebrows are extremely bushy, and my shoes have holes. My kiddos are also very sad about not being able to afford things like going out to eat. Ever. But I tell them Mama works hard, and that it won’t be like this forever. I will take those sweet babies and my wonderful husband out to eat one day.
Again, I stress that we would have been able to afford rent and basic necessities this summer if Rich’s disability had gone through, along with my summer job (if it had paid me by now). I know I will eventually get paid for it, but as of now things are very desperate and our family needs help.
Things to consider in deciding whether or not to help:
1. Rich has made many efforts to get better and get his disability moving along. He wants so badly to be able to return to work. However, he has had continued health issues. This often leaves him unable to get out of bed. He often cannot stay awake for more than 6 hours at a time.
2. Danielle has helped many people in the past when she could (especially helping with friends’ children and making NJ sausage and peppers for them). She also helped to save two horses two winters ago.
3. We (Danielle and Rich) really would like to be the ones who help instead of the ones being helped, however; right now we really do need a way to make it through this. We can’t wait until we are the ones who can be back to helping others again. Thank you, friends.
Love,
The Campbells
Organizer
Danielle Campbell
Organizer
Nashville, TN
