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Hi, my name is Jeff Austin. Some you may know the hardships our family has endured the past several years, but many of you do not. I hate that it has come to this, asking others for help; after all, my family is a proud, independent family. But here we are, in desperate need of your help.
Our family has suffered some major financial hardships in the past 4 years. My mother, Marcia Austin, went on permenant disability about 3 years ago. As a result, our home equity loan payments were backed up and the bank began forclosure procedures. Since that time, Marcia was diagnosed with kidney failure, COPD, had a stroke affecting her vision, and Congestive Heart Failure. She is on dialysis, oxygen, and can barely walk.
My sister, her 2 young sons, and I live with her and do everything we can to help keep the household running. With 5 people living in a 3 bedroom ranch, it can be a bit tight!
We are trying to raise money to help with VERY URGENT household repairs. Marcia's income was slashed in half when she went on Social Security/Disability, and half of THAT is going to back payment on the mortgage (if we miss just one payment in the next 12 years, they will take the house). Since my sister is also raising two boys and I have car and student loans, household repairs have been put on the backburner lately.
First and foremost, we would like to raise $5000 for a new AC unit, since ours stopped working last May. Last summer was very rough on my mother and I'm afraid she might not survive another without central air. Our old AC lasted 28 years and we were so thankful it has. Because of my mother's health problems, she has trouble breathing in normal temperatures, let alone in house that, last summer, got into the 80 degree range. We installed a window unit in her bedroom, but it's not sufficient for the rest of the house, and multiple window units are not long term efficient. I REALLY am afraid for this summer without a new AC. The second repair is for hole over our kitchen sink that causes a horrible draft (and energy leak). It's estimated to be about $700.
It kills me to have to post on this site, but please, we are desperate. We can't afford to fix these repairs, and we can't afford to move because of our second mortgage. We have tried HEAP and similar programs but were denied. If anyone has any other recommendations, I'd love to hear them also. My mother has been a rock my whole life, and taught us the value of independence. We have tried to save up, but one thing after another keeps knocking us down.
Please help make our house habitable again for a sick woman and 2 children!
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