Cases 29-31: Drummer's leg was amputated for health reasons and his income vanished

Case 29: Ms. B’s 16-year-old daughter is severely disabled and suffers from an array of profound medical conditions— Jacobsen syndrome, epilepsy, seizures, microcephaly, hydrocephalus, developmental delays and a severe speech impediment; she breathes with the help of a ventilator. The girl’s wheelchair cannot accommodate her portable ventilator, which limits her mobility only to ambulance trips to her medical appointments. A special wheelchair would let her see and experience more of the world, and an electronic device would allow her to communicate more effectively.

Case 30: A recent spinal injury paralyzed Ms. K, who now needs help with daily chores. Her 20-year-old daughter helps take care of Ms. K’s two other children, a 7-year-old and a 1-year-old, but finances are tight and she only recently began receiving disability payments. The family needs bedding, including a toddler bed for the youngest, and help with utilities, groceries, gas, clothes and toys for the holidays.

Case 31: Mr. J’s life as a successful drummer was turned upside down when his left leg had to be amputated because of complications from severe diabetes and dangerously high blood pressure. His ability to earn an income has dwindled, leaving him reliant on disability checks and food stamps. Then came another loss: His mother died unexpectedly, leaving him with her house and a large debt from unpaid bills for it. Social Security authorities considered the home income and cut him off from disability checks, a decision Mr. J is fighting to reverse. Meanwhile, he’s at risk of losing his right leg to diabetes complications and is stuck with mounting utility bills while struggling to pay for food and gas. Mr. J is asking for furnishings for the house, including a queen bed, a washer, dryer and kitchenware, as well as help paying for food, gas and utility bills.

Case profiles by Dan Neman and Nassim Benchaabane