My name is Reina,

I am a 36yr old single mother of four. I am a customer service agent at greatcall and I make $15 an hour. I recently came into some health problems. I have been in severe pain for a few years but being at my job since Novemeber 9, 2015 I do a lot of sitting. The pain has become unbearable. I went in for an MRI and on December 27, 2016 I received the results of my MRI which are: femoral head neck junction: osseous polyp, there is a tear of the anterior superior labrum sagittal series, there is a tear of the superior labrum coronal series, 3cm fat-containing mass is present in the left adnexa (ovary) consistent with dermoid and tear of the anterior superior and superior right acetabular labrum (in English terms I have tears in my hip). If you do not know what a dermoid cyst is google it (viewer discretion is advised). I am in need of two separate surgeries. My first surgery is scheduled for March 23, 2017 and there will be a six week recovery time. The second surgery to replace my hip will be six months to one year recovery time. The problem is, I don't have a support system. I don't have anyone to help me financially while I recover. I don't have a mother, father, grandparents or any other form of financial support. I live in the state of Nevada and Nevada does not have short term disability, my job does not offer short term disability or any other alternatives such as Aflac. I have gone to every single government resource that I could possibly find. I have dug deep into my state searching for help. I have called the state Governor Sandoval office, his secretary tells me that all the programs are federally funded and that I would need to talk to the federal government. I took the advise from the Governors secretary and I went to the State supreme courthouse where Dean Heller's office is on the 7th floor. I walked in there crying to the people inside that office for help. I cried to Katie Pace for two hours about my situation. I had told her EVERYTHING. I told her about the surgeries I needed and how I don't get help from the absent parent and how I was told by every agency that unless I'm homeless already, or fresh out of prison or a recovering drug addict in a program or a mother who has had her kids taken away for neglect or abuse and how the IRS took my entire tax return for my student loans, I wouldn't be able to get help. I told her how I tried opening my own child protective services case for help but was told by CPS that I would be risking having my kids removed from my home. I told her how I did not want to have these surgeries and recover in a homeless shelter with four kids because I will not have any income the whole time I am out of work. Katie looked as if she was very concerned, she even mentioned a few times how what I was telling her does not sit well with her stomach and she felt disturbed by what I was going through. I have continued to fight to make it, I fight for my children who I love dearly. They are very loving and understanding kids. My 14yr old son has non stopped looked for a company to hire him at 14 so he can finically help me (he's the sweetest boy) My 7 yr old daughter wants to make homemade lemonade and sell it in a blizzard to help pay bills. These kids should not be as grown as they are. After leaving Katie that day I felt like she was going to help me. I felt that everything would be ok here are the two emails I have received from Katie since I was in Dean Hellers office:

Hello Reina –

Thank you for coming in to the office today, I hope you are feeling a little better about all this. Just to update you:  

I spoke to Jose at Salvation Army. You might give him a call tomorrow and especially if you can have the Doctor provide some solid information about your pending surgery. The letter might indicate the reason for the “pending” status – such as your need to line up rental assistance for several months and child care.  Please talk this over a little more thoroughly with Jose. They really want their funds to do some good, not just a Band-Aid where you will still need the help month after month until you are ready to get back to work.  

Jose did mention that a report to CPS might be the best route, as CPS has many resources. I told him you already did that, but maybe another call would be beneficial.  

Left a message for Social Security Administration, Supplemental Security Income.   My colleague has submitted an inquiry to the Tax Payer Advocate to ask about getting your tax refund back, we should have a call back by the end of the week.  

I have left a message with the Washoe County Adult Services – hope for a call back tomorrow.  

Also left a message for Washoe County Children in Transition. They have many resources as well.  

I'll make some more calls tomorrow – Community Services Agency and Join Together Northern Nevada (JTNN).  

Hang in there,  

Katie Pace, Constituent Services

U.S. Senator Dean Heller (NV)

400 S. Virginia St., Suite 738 | Reno, NV 89501 Phone: 775.686.5770 | Fax: 775.686.5729 Email: [email protected]

Here is the second Email I received from Katie 3 days after leaving her office:

Hello Reina –

How is everything going?? Did you work yesterday and today? Any update from Jose?   Here are a few more thoughts based on my conversations with various organizations:  

Mike Pomi, Executive Director for Children's Cabinet suggested that you come back to CC to speak to the intake representatives and be sure to mention his name and that he would like to know the follow-up on your case. Be sure to mention your medical condition and pay decrease due to your conditions. He feels there maybe resources and supports other than just child care subsidy coverage they can help you with. Mike mentioned that self-reporting to CPS was a positive move on your part.  

Washoe County Adult Services suggested you get your name on the Reno Housing Authority list – we hear the list is open especially with the children. She also suggested that you get your name on the VOA Family Shelter list  -- both these moves will show Jose that you have a plan moving forward if you aren't able to come up with rent in the coming months. Adult Services agrees you are in “the bubble” and until your income decreases it is going to be difficult to find resources, all programs have to run on income levels. She also suggested working with Alta Vista, a counseling service thinking you might find support and resources through them (they take Medicaid).  

CPS – I have a call into the director – but we are playing phone tag. Hope to hear from her this afternoon.  

Tax Return – We were told to call Fiscal Services, but they pointed us back to IRS to request a “Hardship”, sadly, they weren't too optimistic that the Dept of Ed would return the funds especially since you already have been granted an “offset”.  My colleague is working on this.  

Join Together Northern Nevada (JTNN) – Because of your medical situation and Rx's, JTNN suggested STEP 2 to help with housing, supports and assistance with opioid withdrawal. JTNN also suggested QUEST Counseling – they take Medicaid and can offer a variety of supports.  

Social Security Administration (SSA)/ Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a dead end, funds are not available until a person is shown to BE disabled, which you are not.

I hope you don't mind that I didn't include phone numbers – you seem pretty skilled at the internet and phone – but let me know if you do need some phone numbers.  

Stay in touch!

Katie Pace, Constituent Services

U.S. Senator Dean Heller (NV)

400 S. Virginia St., Suite 738 | Reno, NV 89501 Phone: 775.686.5770 | Fax: 775.686.5729 Email: [email protected]

What I am asking from my peers of society is to please help me! I will be using whatever monies are donated to pay my bills while I recover. If there happens to be more than my goal, that money will go toward my second surgery. 

One month of bill comes to:

Rent $1200.00

Utilities $180 includes: Trash, gas and electricity

Phone $40

Truck Payment $403.99

Insurance $196

Gas for vehicle to get to appointments $80

Daycare $600

Toiletries and other misc $160: toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, dog food, cat food etc... 

I will post pictures of receipts of bill that were paid with donated money...

Thank you,

Reina and Kids