Many of you know me. I am a psychologist, board member, volunteer and good friend to many. I have been battling end stage renal disease since 2007. I was on dialysis from December 2009 until June 8, 2013, when I had a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, the transplanted kidney is failing. I had open-heart surgery to replace the aortic valve on June 13, 2016 but the new tissue valve already had a small stenosis immediately after the surgery. I am no longer able to work full time and I’m finding it more difficult to do some of the things that always came easily to me.
I have been in congestive heart failure since January 2022. In 2021, my kitchen drain pipe burst and flooded the entire first floor of my home. I fought two years to get paid by my homeowners insurance but they only covered a little over $8,000 for repairs due to depreciation. My home is built on a concrete slab with no basement. The plumbers had to dig up my concrete floors from the kitchen to the back yard. The plumping portion by itself was a little over $12,000.
After the plumbing was fixed, I had to get new floor coverings which cost $6,500. That led to new walls in the kitchen and the contractor messed that up. I had the cabinets painted. Then, I had to make repairs to the first floor bathroom which cost $15,000. I still have electrical work to be done.
I couldn’t afford these repairs so I had to take out loans against our life insurance policies. I also took out most of my IRA. I need to pay these loans back. It’s over $43,000 that I borrowed against the policies.
The lowest bid to replace the ekectrical outlets is $500. In the process of all of this, my clothes dryer and refrigerator died. That was another $4,000.
I am sinking fast! My husband will be 82 on August 6th and he has had three strokes, two open-heart surgeries, a pacemaker and a Watchman. After the last stroke, he was left with dementia.
My house is old and the electrical outlets cannot support modern-day living. The cost to get that repaired is $1,200 for 15 outlets and a junction box. I need help cleaning my house and need a housecleaner but the cost is $100 for two bathrooms and the handyman for general repairs but he charges $50 an hour, which I can’t afford.
I would appreciate volunteers to help me. I will barter counseling sessions or self-improvement classes in exchange for manual labor. Too many people today have no compassion or empathy.
Together you can make a difference by assisting us during this difficult time. Your donation goes directly to Help Hope Live and they distribute the funds directly to the payee. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.
Best regards,
Sandra Kitty Westrope
215-479-1646
[email protected]
