CASE 62
D is 28, suffers from cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. He takes his nourishment through a feeding tube. This past year, health complications worsened his situation, and now he needs round-the-clock attention. His mother looks after him, as well as her daughter, son and three grandchildren, but the time demands prevent her from holding down a steady job. This means the family has trouble with daily living expenses and would welcome any assistance. D also needs a new bed to make it easier to care for him.
CASE 63
Times have been tough for Mrs. J after she collapsed at work last year and had to be taken to an emergency room. Doctors diagnosed her with anemia, lupus and fibromyalgia. She suffers extreme pain as a result of the medical conditions and has been unable to go back to work. Mrs. J's husband has had to take unpaid time off from work to take her to doctor appointments, and the couple live paycheck to paycheck with their two children, ages 11 and 13. Mrs. J wants to be able to provide for her family and would very much appreciate help in the form of rent assistance, food gift certificates, clothing or kids' presents this holiday season.
CASE 64
Ms. T is a single mom with four children — ages 1 to 11 — who is struggling to make ends meet after the death of her ex-husband last year. She works full time at a hair salon, but because she does not own a car, she must rely on others for transportation. Ms. T is behind on her rent payments, and she needs help getting caught up on other bills as well. She would appreciate any help this holiday season, namely through food gift certificates, rent and bill assistance, or clothes or presents for her children.
Profiles by David Sheets and Evan S. Benn of the Post-Dispatch.
