We very much need your help. As many of you know, Mark has had to have several surgeries, the last one to amputate his leg. He was in the VA hospital for over a month after the surgery and subsequent therapy. He has had to get several new prosthetics over the past year due to changes in his leg and sizing. Currently, he has an infection, which means he can't wear his leg as often as he needs to. Healing for him is rough due to his diabetes.

We thought we were OK. We were handling things as they came up as best as we could. We had put some savings away. Not a lot, but enough to cover bills as they came in. Then, my Mom had a stroke, and after 28 years of caring for her, I was not able to do so anymore (neither physically or mentally). Her care needed to come from full-time nurses as she lost so much more after her stroke. So, then comes trying to pay for her care. Then our van started having a lot of mechanical trouble. We had gotten a new transmission, but it wasnt enough. We decided to trade it in and get something reliable. The car dealership wouldn't take it as a trade in as we owed too much money on it and the amount they were willing to give us for it left quite a deficit, which they would require as a down payment. That wasn't something we were capable of doing.

We decided we would just make both car payments. It would be tight, but we felt we were ok. Then we get a letter from the VA in February. We have been getting medical bills from them and paying what we could, when we could. The problem is that the amount owed to them is astronomical. Between the surgeries, hospitalizations, the therapy, and the prosthetics, it was more than anything we have ever owed, combined. They advised us that we needed to make a payment arrangement or they were only going to do emergency services for Mark. This means that there would be no necessary important appointments for his amputated leg and subsequent infection, prosthetics, his diabetes and other health issues. They also can't garnish your SS, but they can make you pay them this way. So, the majority of Mark's check goes to pay the VA for past, current, and probably future medical care. 

We tried to request a financial hardship deferral of debt through the VA, but it was denied. We will continue to try that avenue.

We have tried to apply for loans, but with the way our finances and credit have changed through all these medical difficulties, our credit is bad now and no one will approve us.

We can't file bankruptcy as we could very well lose the house. It's the only thing we have to keep a roof over our heads, so we can't go that way.

Our old van was relinquished back to the loan company because we no longer had the ability to make both car payments.

This is the last thing I wanted to have to do, ask for help. Mark has been counting all the change we have in the house, just to deposit it today. It isn't much, but we hope we can at least buy some groceries with it.

If you are able to help us, we would greatly appreciate it. Every little bit will help us. If you have questions, please send me a message, and I will try to answer them. Thank you for not making me feel worse than I already feel, having to ask for help. I have put off asking for as long as I can, but our situation is getting worse instead of better. We have eliminated as much as we can in our monthly expenses. We have been using our remaining credit or gift cards to buy groceries, or get gas, or pay what bills we can. All of that has run out now. We have $30 in the bank that has to last us until June 3rd... and I don't know how I am going to make that happen. Not one bit. I am so terrified. I had my 1st eye surgery last week, and I have had a headache since. I have my 2nd one scheduled for next week, and I don't have the money to pay the copay. I will have to reschedule. I am hating every second of this terrifying season in our lives. Please help if you can. Thank you. We love you. ❤️ 

If you are able to donate, I'm including my links below for the platforms I have available to accept your help. If not, we understand and would very much appreciate your prayers as well. We know so many people are going through so much right now. Hugs for you all and thanks again. 🙏

Paypal:

https://paypal.me/denisemccollum1?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US

Venmo:

https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3441800010270627878&created=1716556264

Cashapp:

https://cash.app/$DeniseMMcCollum