It was brought to my attention two days ago by a Realtor in my company is trying desperately to help past clients...a family in DIRE need! The e-mail that day described how this family had one hot dog in the refrigerator to be shared with a family of two adults, both with major health issues, and three teenage children. This Realtor, Mike Gray, was asking our Company to bring non-perishable foods and donations to the Company Sales meeting the following day to help this family.

I asked him if he would e-mail the family's situation to me so I could post it here, in ActiveRain. I truly believe all of you, as well as the general public will respond to this with your hearts and generosity. Here is the e-mail I recieved from Mike, this morning:

"It was so nice hearing from you.  Anything we can do to help this family in dire need will be greatly appreciated.  This family are past clients of mine, and have 3 children.  Here is their story.  

Ruby (the mother) lost her job at Geico.  Shortly after, her husband, John, was injured at the new construction site he was working at.  He was crushed by a piece of heavy equipment.  He was flown by Nightingale to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.  He is permanantly disabled.  He suffers from migrane headaches, constant back pain, memory loss, and have lost all feeling in one arm.  He cannot lift anything over 5 lbs.  He will be taking morphine for the rest of his life. Not a good future for someone in their 40's.  After he was injured, they were unable to pay her Cobra Insurance, so she lost her insurance coverage which was needed since she suffers from MS.    About 3 months after he was injured, their house was forclosed on and their car was repossessed. 

This family of 5 was now homeless.  She found a new job, not making as much as she ws, but nonetheless it was a job.  I bought her get a $600 car to be able to get to and from work.  Her insurance will not cover her MS medications since it is considered a pre-existing condition.  So she works 45 hours a week, with MS and no medications to support her family of 5 off of $1,200 a month!  I was able to get her into a rental, and have been paying her rent since she does not have the money to afford it, but due to the slowing real estate market, I can no longer pay her rent.  Three years ago, she had gastric bypass surgery.  It was a success. She went from 252 lbs down to 100 lbs.  Last month though, tragedy again struck.  She had been feeling very sick about a month.  not having the money to go to the doctor, she just delt with her pain.  Finally, she was rushed to the hospital.  It was discover that due to the gastric bypass surgery she had 2 holes in her intestines and one in her stomach.  She was being poisoned from all of the fluids and blood entering her bosy through these 3 holes.  They did emergency surgery to save her life.  She was told if she had not come in, she would have been dead in an hour.  She was given 9 units of blood, and took 250 stiches and staples to close her back up.  She was supposed to be out of work for 6 weeks, but retured in only 2 weeks because she said " I have to work. My kids have no food in the house".   

The husbands disability was denied.  Their attorney said that typically every one is denied their first try, but they are in the process of re-applying for disability.  Eventually, they should get a settlement for his injury, but as we know, nothing happens when it needs to.  In the  meantime, this family is in great need of our help.   It is my goal to raise $250,000 for this family.  I want to buy them a modest home and a reliable car for her to go to work, and afford to buy her MS medications until her insurance kicks-in next April.  Our local ABC affiliate will be covering her story next week, and help me in this endevour to change this families life for good.  Thank you so much for your effort and concern for this wonderful family.  May God richly bless you!     Sincerely, Mike Gray"

A website for this family is under construction right now and should be ready next week. When I recieve the link I will update this blog with the information. In addition, I will keep all of you posted on the progess we make in helping this family survive and to achieve the goals.

At our Company sales meeting, several bags of groceries were brought by fellow agents. Others donated money. In that short time period at the meeting, over $1600.00 was raised to assist. For the past year, Mike Gray has been paying their rent however, the real estate market is making this more difficult right now.

For the time being, please contact me if you wish to help this family. When I have the website address, you will be able to link into it and the information will be there as to where you can send your generous assistance and support. I will also post any new information on a trust account etc. as this comes available.

I should also have pictures of the family and will send them.

I thank you for taking the time to read this and for your contributions toward this family's needs.

After hearing about this, I truly feel blessed for what I have!

Donations can be made out to Mike Gray

and sent to: Bonnie Tegge, Prudential Decker Realty, ATTN: Carter Trust, 2008-B General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23454