Hello, let me introduce myself. My name is Lori. I am married to a wonderful man named Steve for 24 years, and we’ve got a high-spirited pup named Day-Z (Daisy) who is 2 1/2 years old. I have had rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative disk and bone disease since I was about 25 (I’m 51 now). Unfortunately, it has turned into osteoarthritis and has completely destroyed my hip sockets, making it beyond unbearable to walk, let alone work. About 2 years ago, it became impossible for me to just get out of bed to use the restroom, and because I have deteriorated so badly and was and am still unable to work, we became homeless. We were homeless for just about 2 years, with my husband maintaining the job he had been at for 16 years (and is still at to date). He’s never given up hope for us, for me, for our future. I gotta love this man. I hate putting everything on him and his shoulders.
I have to have both of my hips replaced, especially if I ever want to work again, and lord knows I want to work again so badly!!! You see, my husband has heart failure along with some other issues with his heart. He’s got to have a triple bypass, and if I can’t work when it comes time for him to have surgery, well then we will lose everything we’ve worked so hard for once again. Right along with the fact that without proper housing after something like a triple bypass, he’ll die. And I owe it to him to be able to take care of him like he took care of me. I hate not being able to walk, let alone not work. I find myself at the mercy of others at this point in my life, and it’s extremely hard and humbling to ask for help from strangers, but at this point in my life, what else is there to do? Yeah, I could sit and boohoo and throw a pity party and sit by withering away and watch my husband die and lose everything again. Or I can put my pride aside and ask for some help to get my needs met, become a functioning part of adulthood again so I’m able to let the hubby get the help he needs and then continue to pay it forward so that others can benefit from the same blessing as I did.
I need help with my co-pay for the surgeries ($16,000), but that’s for both hips. Anything and everything helps tremendously and is so unbelievably appreciated. I don’t ever ask for help; I’m one of those people who just tries to do it or handle stuff all on my own. So this is a huge step for me, to ask for help like this. Thank you for everything.
