- By: Al Stefanelli
- Amount: $5,000
- Views: 4874
- Wish Points: 1242.08
OK, I will try to keep this short. I suffer from an auto-immune disease that is classified as Probable Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. My symptoms include chronic peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, amnestic cognitive impairment, neuralgia and about 40 other symptoms. I am largely dependent on a wheelchair to be mobile. I was able to work up until December of 2005 then my health made it impossible for me to work. I applied for disability, was denied, reapplied, was denied and now I am waiting for an opportunity to get before an Administrative Law Judge for a final hearing.
My wife was a stay-at-home mom for seven years but went back into the job market when I could no longer work. We were squeaking by thanks to the kindness and generosity of friends, food stamps and some court ordered child support.
Last December, though, my wife had to quit her job due to her shoulder being torn apart. After seeing many doctors they decided that they needed to completely rebuild it. Alliance Medical Ministries had covered the costs, thankfully. The recovery is a long and slow process and she will not be cleared to go back to work until June, and we have been without her income since her last check in January. The State of NC has paid our electric bill for the past two months and we finally qualified for Medicaid so that my kids (ages 11 and 13) can get treated for some illnesses they have been complaining about and I can get back to a neurologist.
However, it is the middle of March, we are dead broke and except for two more weekly child support paymenst of $83.00 before the month ends. We have no prospect of paying our electric bill, which is scheduled to be shut off in two weeks, put gas in the car to get to the doctor appointments or pay our rent.
When my wife gets released to return to work, we'll be able to squeak by until I can get my disability. Our monthly cost of living is about $1500, which includes a rental payment of $985.
I don't know where else to turn. We've exhausted every avenue we know of over the last 15 months. A little help until my wife can return to work would be greatly appreciated. (more)
