Hello family, friends, and new friends. For many years, my sister, Vera, and her family have been faced with multiple health challenges that have led to extreme financial difficulty. A series of chronic illnesses including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, chronic anemia, hidradenitis suppurativa, pyoderma gangrenosum, gastroperesis, and complications from diabetes, has caused Vera to be subjected to a series of surgeries over the past 9 years, including the implantation of a pacemaker/defibrillator in her heart.

Just to insert a testimony to God's goodness, I would like to share this. In 2003, after 11 years of marriage, Richard and Vera felt they would not be able to conceive children when they unexpectedly became pregnant. Due to Vera's already compromised health, the doctors urged them to abort the fetus, fearing that both mother and child would not survive the birth. Placing their faith in God, they refused to end the pregnancy, and after spending the last six months of the seven month pregnancy with Vera hospitalized under constant around-the-clock monitoring, the couple was blessed with the gift of a pre-mature, yet healthy baby girl, Maya Ann, weighing only 4lbs, 6oz. After the birth of their daughter, Vera returned to school, earning a Master's degree, and in spite of her health challenges she continued to work full time until 2012 when she was forced to leave her career in social services-- a career to which she had dedicated 26 years providing care for both physically and developmentally disabled children and adults. 

Richard, my brother-in-law, is a US Navy Veteran and has worked in the same field as my sister for over 20 years, being employed by Misericordia Home North in Chicago, and Seguin Services. After his wife was forced to stop working, Richard has continued to work diligently as a committed husband and father by providing care for her at home, taking on the additional responsibilities for their daughter, and working hard to make ends meet with just one income. In December 2013, Richard suffered a fall at work which resulted in significant injury, and he, too, has been forced to take a leave from work. He is currently preparing for surgery to correct tears in both rotator cuffs, and has been under pressure from doctors to agree to knee surgery as well. While the past couple of years has been increasingly challenging for this family, this additional sudden change of events has placed them, and their now 10-year old daughter, Maya, in a position where they need to move from their current apartment to a place that is more easily accessible with fewer stairs or an elevator-- an expense they cannot afford right now. Their current residence requires that Vera leave the safety of the wheelchair in order to climb a flight of 10 steps leading to the apartment, and that Richard carry the chair up and down the stairs. The current apartment also has a bathroom that is one step up from the main floor/not easily accessible, and many other features that make living there very difficult for this family. They have toughed it out for a very long time, but remaining at this location is no longer a viable or safe option. The move to a better suited apartment will enable Vera to remain safely seated in her wheelchair while moving around when she's alone at home, and provide her the ability to work at operating it independently, as Richard will not be able to push the chair, or carry it up and down stairs for several months as he recovers from his own injuries. The change of address will also enable their daughter, Maya, to become eligible to attend school in a much safer neighborhood, and any additional funds remaining will go toward the purchase of equipment that Vera needs (she is too young for Medicare eligibility, and is finding it difficult to qualify for a power wheelchair and other necessary home health aids).

A little more about Maya... she is a very friendly, outspoken 10-year old little girl who LOVES animals, and wears a lot of pink. As a toddler, she began suffering from frequent seizures, but has been seizure (and medication) free now for 2 years. When she grows up, she wants to "clean up the environment and save the planet," and frequently gathers whoever will listen together to hear her give what we refer to as "living room speeches" on just about any topic that is on her mind. I am convinced that whatever she does in life, it will include an element of public and motivational speaking! Maya's favorite subject in school is Science, her favorite pet was her late dog, India, and her favorite thing to do is attend birthday parties:-D. 

Please help this hard-working family by donating as much as you can. No amount is too small, and even a small donation of $5 from you will help us reach our goal to help improve their quality of life. They have been faithful and committed friends to many, even using their own home to provide temporary shelter to those in need, and have worked very hard for many years to get on their feet and regain stability. They are some of the most kind and selfless people you could ever have the pleasure of meeting, and while they will continue to work diligently to regain financial stability, the time has come to call in reinforcement to help make this a reality. Please donate and help the Henderson family today, and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Thank you, and God bless you for giving.