How We Got Here
Rachel and I left our home in Seattle almost 6 years ago after she
first got sick and had to give up her business. We sold our house and
cars to pay for the move to Kentucky, where we would live in the house
that had been my grandmother's. I had arranged to keep my job in
Seattle, so the hope was that we could reduce our cost of living to
make up for the loss of income, pay off her medical bills, and
eventually dig ourselves out of the financial hole we were in.
Just a few months after the move, the virus in her heart struck
again, damaging it even more, resulting in surgery to implant the
pacemaker / defibrillator that keeps her alive. At that point she was
permanently disabled, unable to walk more than a few feet without a
wheelchair. And we were tens of thousands of dollars further in debt.
My company went through a rough patch in 2009, which led to a
temporary pay cut for a few months, and the future of the company
remained mostly uncertain until we were acquired in 2011. Our first
trip back to Seattle happened in September of that year, almost
exactly 3 years later.
A Glimmer of Hope, and Then...
During that trip I talked seriously with my boss about returning to
Seattle, and it was decided that the company would move us back after
the first of the year in order to avoid a Winter move. The night
before we had to fly back to KY, we got together with the friends and
family we had left behind and celebrated the fact that we would soon
be moving back home.
Unfortunately, by the time Spring arrived, the company that owned the
company that bought us decided it was time to drop the newly merged
company, finally leading to mass layoffs in May of 2012, to include me.
Within two days of becoming jobless, the company asked me to come
back temporarily to finish some projects. I was still laid off, but it
was postponed until the project was finished. One project led to
another, and my perpetual state of being almost laid off lasted for
another year until I was finally let go in July of 2013.
Trapped in Tennessee
In November of 2012, we had moved to Clarksville, TN to be closer to
Nashville so my wife could get better cardiac care and the weight loss
surgery needed to take some of the stress off of her heart. The
surgery had been recommended by her original cardiologist in Seattle
and it took
6 years to finally go through all of the
insurance BS and preparation to get to the point of an actual
scheduled surgery date, which was set for the beginning of October, 2013.
The timing was very rough, because my job had ended, but we couldn't
take a chance of changing insurance because then everything would have
to start over from the beginning, if the new provider even covered the
procedure, which many don't. I couldn't look very far outside the area
for work, because a move would restart the clock on Rachel's surgery.
And it just so happens that our insurance provider isn't very popular
in the South, which made finding a job very difficult.
A Little Help From Our Friends
Due to all of the inter-state madness, my initial request for
unemployment benefits was denied, leaving us with no income. So in
November of last year we put together the first FundRazr campaign to
help cover the immediate costs of insurance, rent, and necessities.
Our amazing friends, members of online communities, and even strangers
came to our aid, raising over $4000.
We were able to make it through that rough spot due solely to the
kindness and generosity of people who cared, most likely the same
people reading this right now. If so, thank you so much. We already
owe you more than any amount of money could ever repay.
My unemployment claim finally went through in December, although it
runs out this month and it seems that extending isn't an option. The
amount has fallen over $400 short of covering our rent and insurance,
not to mention things like food, the car payment, car insurance,
utilities, etc. On top of everything, the way our insurance works is
that as of January 1st, everything is out of pocket until we reach our
deductible for the year (which we haven't), making the first few
months of the year rough anyway.
Time to Pack It Up
We've survived so far, but there's no future here. Rachel is a lot
better physically. Her diabetes is gone, she's able to get around
without the wheelchair, and she has so much more energy than before.
That makes all of the struggles worth it, but there's still a long way
to go for her, healthwise, and for us.
We have a place lined up in Monroe, WA, which is an acceptable
commute distance from the city. There are plenty of opportunities in
Seattle, and we have tons of contacts and resources to help from the
past 14 years. We just have to get there... but we can't afford the move.
So, please, help out if you can. Any amount helps; it really does add
up. Thanks, and please spread the word.
