Outta the House!

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Nov. 3rd, 2009

Just to let you know...

I'm still here, still stuck in the house and still in need of $16,000 for a ramp. We have approximately $1,200 so far kept aside in an account to use for the ramp. As you can see, we have a LONG way to go! However, we want to thank EVERYONE who has donated thus far!

I want to put some photos here so you can get an idea of where I live and why it is so expensive to build a ramp.

This is looking down from the front porch. And after climbing down these bad boys, there are more steps after that and a very steep slope to even more steps.

This is a photo of part of that steep slope.

These are SOME of the steps going up the back. We live between two streets on the side of a mountain.

These are more steps going up to the top, with a long steep slope. The hills in the back are so steep that the ramp will have to criss-cross the back FOUR TIMES to compensate for the steep grade.

These are the hills in the back yard I was talking about.

In case you don't know, I struggle with more than one illness that causes me to be disabled. I have severe osteoarthritis (bone - on- bone) in all of my main joints, including hips, knees, and spine. It is also in the joints and bones of my feet, as well as various other joints.

I have had insulin-dependent diabetes for many years, and the effects of this disease are starting to really show up, such as having gastroparesis (literally paralysis of the stomach). I have sarcoidosis, which rear's it's nasty head in my lungs periodically. I have had MRSA in my lungs, which is now colonized (can act up again, later, under stress). I have severe fibromyalgia which was diagnosed in 1992 before it was the "disease of the month." My legs and lower abdomen have been affected by many abdomenal surgeries, starting at age 20, resulting in lymphedema. These are just a few of the things I struggle with every single day. I have always been very active and also been very active in my community. Now I can attend no meetings or community activities. I spent the last 35 years helping others, as a therapist, minister and pastoral counselor specializing in grief and trauma resolution. Won't you help me? Even the single dollar donations add up! THANK YOU!

If you are new here, go to the first entry and read, as that will tell you a lot of info about me. THANKS!

MySpace Tickers: CoolSpaceTricks.com

Tags: illnesses, photos

Dec. 24th, 2008

Most recent tally.... it is slowly creeping up!

mood:

chipper

We are very thankful that a few of you have decided to make this a monthly donation. It will take a long time to reach our goal, but it is slowly growing. I have more hope than ever now about reaching the goal. THANK YOU!

Posted at 06:46 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Oct. 28th, 2008

To see photos of our house

CLICK HERE on this link and you will find photos of the outside of our house, and you'll see why I need a ramp

STILL NEED HELP!

Posted at 02:19 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Oct. 22nd, 2008

Recent Update

The update now is that our lowest bid is now $15,000 and it is by a very reputable contractor who has, in fact, worked for us before. His wife is a colleague of my husband's (so we know where to find him HAHA).

USDA Loan is now out of the question because we are no longer three living here, but two, and with Bear's income and my disability, it shoots us just over the income limit. Now, we are at a loss and don't know WHAT to do. My hope for ever getting a ramp is growing dim.

PS I'd like to add that the Dept of Medicare Services will not allow funds from other sources to be added to the $5000 yearly house modification, so we can't use it.

Posted at 11:24 am | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Aug. 24th, 2008

The Total So Far

We are getting a second opinion this week on the ramp, but have been told that the first estimate was probably accurate. This second contractor is working hard to get us the DMAS grant for disabled and elderly, which is $5,000. We will have to take out a Federal loan to cover the amount we don't raise here. We are so thankful for those of you who have contributed to the cause! You are truly going to help me get out of the house!

Posted at 12:08 am | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Jul. 21st, 2008

Can you Help us?

mood:

hopeful

With thanks to

jagnightwalker

I am not the sort to do this, until I'm put in a situation where I have to. Please keep that in mind while reading this post. I feel absolutely at my wit's end, and I need help.

My name is Kathryn. I'm a happily married 51 yr old with multiple chronic illnesses, including severe arthritis, fibromyalgia, and diabetes (and more not mentioned). I am disabled. I am an ordained minister and have a ministry online at www.RevealedHeartMinistries.org . I offer grief and trauma resolution counseling. I used to work in a prison, and also have had a private practice since 1983. I have been very actively helping others, and most times I either took very little for fees or sometimes would barter. I have helped to change many people's lives in dramatic ways.

I have two adult children, and one child that I adopted near birth who has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome /Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. She is now 20 and lives with my husband and me. She is mentally handicapped and has a lot of special needs.

My husband, who comes from England, and I moved to the Appalachian Mountains five years ago as we felt a call to this area. He now teaches Algebra and has a real ministry to the teens there, just setting a good male example and counseling them as situations arise. I have been disabled for many years but not to the severity that I now find myself. When we moved here five years ago, I used a cane and sometimes a wheelchair. I have now "graduated" to needing a power chair. I received one recently, but due to the situation of our house on the side of a mountain, I cannot leave the house.

In fact, I am so disabled without the use of the chair that there have been times when I haven't been able to leave the house for weeks at a time, and at the most, once in a week. Everything has to be right -- my body has to be cooperative and so does the weather. People have visited our house and ask how we can possibly go up and down the steps, as they (perfectly fit, thin, normal people) can barely manage it

The power chair is built to hold me well, and to be able to climb any ramp that meets requirements. Once we have ramps put in, the chair would make it up the hillside, and it would go to the back of our car, which has a lift that can hold the chair for travel. We even traded our car for another one that could handle the weight of the chair and lift -- the chair itself weighs 230 lbs! But we have no way to get it to the car.

We had a contractor come today (one licensed by Medicaid) and his estimate was $16,000 to make a ramp that goes from the front porch, down the side of the house, up the hill and zig-zagging up the hillside until it gets all the way to the car. He is licensed by Medicaid to do this work. That's a lot of money that we have to raise. We are a high school teacher and a woman on disability who is retired. We have no savings. We have given to the poor and needy all our lives. Now we are in real need ourselves. Apparently I am eligible for $5,000 from Medicaid because I am on the Elderly and Disabled Waiver, but that leaves $11,000. Help! This contractor also told us that the price he quoted was lower than he normally charges, because he is so mindful of our situation. He is from this area and said it was the WORST situation he has ever seen. We know it is horrible as I have been dealing with it for five years now.

This is where this journal comes in. If I can find many kind souls to spare a donation in exchange for a lifetime of gratitude and blessings, why not try? It could be any amount. If you choose to donate, please know that we are eternally grateful and you'll be a lifetime friends of ours.

Please help us if you can-- any amount. It adds up! Click on the button below, which will take you to paypal. It will enable you to pay using credit card or through your own paypal account, if you have one
Feel free to email for a home address if that's easier. Kathryn@RevealedHeartMinistries.org
Many Blessings and Thanks to you!.

Posted at 07:54 pm | Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

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