The last few years have been hard for a lot of us, and like many we've done our best to push through. Challenge after challenge, we've managed to come out on top, but each time it's been just barely. We're asking for financial assistance to help us stay afloat and help us reach the finish line on some lifelong goals. 

We've maxed out our options for debt and we do utilize food banks and thrift shops, but we still must be able to keep up with the various medications for the pets and humans of our household, as well as food items. Your donation to help us, no matter how big or small, will be a huge help to our family and will help us meet our financial minimums over the next few months.

Lucy, Napping

In 2020, on the suggestion of medical professionals and with the support of Matt and other loved ones, Trisa made the decision to change careers after being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis that wasn't responding quickly to treatments. In the depths of the covid pandemic lockdown, Trisa began online courses with Washtenaw Community College back home in Michigan. She finished her Associates degree only 2 semesters later and transferred to Columbia College Chicago last fall, 2021. During Trisa's time at CCC, she's applied for and received enough scholarships to cover a significant amount of school fees and supplies. This has been the only way she can work towards a degree to eventually start her own nonprofit. At both CCC and WCC she's made the Dean's List almost every semester despite her constant battles with fatigue and pain.

It has been very difficult for Trisa to work anything beyond a few hours a week at her on-campus office job, due to mounting medical issues, effectively making us a single-income household. She's at doctors' appointments almost weekly for treatments and for testing to figure out what else is going wrong, as the RA treatments are finally working but she's still struggling with pain, fatigue, and other symptoms as well as side effects from treatment. 

Recently Trisa was referred to a spinal surgeon for consultation. She's had damage to her lower lumbar spine for most of her life that has gotten to the point where public transportation isn't possible for school, and gas prices are astronomical, and parking is expensive in the south loop. She's even recently been forced to purchase a special kind of book bag that rolls to remove the pressure from her spine. If she does need surgery, her already limited mobility will be made, temporarily, even more limited while she heals. Your donation would allow us during Trisa's recovery time (should spinal surgery happen) to be able to pay help around the house while Matt is working and already doing so many of the chores. This would also keep Matt from experiencing severe burnout, something we just can't afford to experience as a one income household.

During all of this, Matt has been amazing (and in Trisa's opinion, superpowered!). He works overtime almost weekly. He somehow also manages most of the household chores as many have become difficult, if not impossible, for Trisa to do. He does so much to make sure she can focus on school, as it will lead to easier times for us both eventually. But superpowered or not, he is human and has reached the limits of his physical and mental capability. He worked straight through the pandemic at his bike shop, helping keep the people of Chicago's bikes running. In the off-season, however, hours are cut despite inflation making every bill higher.

On top of that our pets, who are our family, have issues of their own. Lucy has become a senior pooch. For those that don't know what that means, it means just like humans age and may need diet changes or medications to lower arthritis pain for quality of life and activity, so does she. She's had quite a few very expensive vet visits and will require prescription food and medication for the rest of her time with us. Ricki, our calico cat and Lucy's bonded sister, also needs daily medication. We were overjoyed to welcome another cat, Biscuit, the biggest boy, into our home last year after his owner, Trisa's friend and mentor Rio, passed away after a long battle with liver disease. It was a very painful loss of someone very important to us. Trisa acted as his part-time caregiver during his last few months. It was never a question where Biscuit would end up. Despite the financial strain, we knew we had to help our friend. Biscuit has also become an (unofficial) support animal for Trisa.

Your donation to help us, no matter how big or small, will be a huge help. It could even keep our bills lower in the future. It is legal in Chicago for our subsequent months' rent to be raised, on top of late fees, if rent is late. We've done our best to to at least pay minimums on credit cards, cut corners and finances wherever we can, but the fees have caught up to us. It would allow us to pay more than the minimum on our debts, lowering our fees, and thereby allowing us to be back to paying bill amounts that are within our means.

Donations will keep Lucy, Ricki, and Biscuit fed and on their medications. It will keep us caught up on our bills during the coldest months. It might even let us visit our Michigan family for a few days over the holidays

Your donation could help us prepare for life after Trisa's graduation in the springtime, as we will be relocating to Atlanta for job opportunities. Her dream of working in the nonprofit sector to help others is achievable there as it is a national and international nonprofit hub. The warmer climate will also help with the pain and fatigue of rheumatoid arthritis and will allow her to heal faster from spinal surgery should that happen. The climate will also be great for Matt and his future in the outdoors industry.

Thank you, from our family to you. 

Ricki and her favorite Turtle Toy

Biscuit, not making Biscuits