trying to stay positive
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2007
- Messages
- 313
- Reason
- CALS
- Diagnosis
- 08/2007
- Country
- US
- State
- Illinois
- City
- Chicago area
Hi everyone. I am so happy to be posting on the Stories of Hope Forum!
As most if not all of you know, it is so much easier to give rather than receive help. Society sure has us programmed! My DH was diagnosed with ALS 8/07, with symptom onset spring of 05. He worked for as long as he could, actually longer than he should have. His last day was the end of Feb. He was approved for SSDI within 30 days, but we will not see a check until late Sept. You guys know the drill! I am on SSDI myself, for eye and knee problems. All we had coming in was a small STD check through his union. So money has been a little tight while we wait for his SSDI to start, especially since our real estate taxes, home owners ins. & car ins. are all due within 2 months of each other!
We have always been a family that gives and helps others out, and I realized that now it is time for us to reach out for help. So why was this so difficult for me? I did alot of praying and finally emailed my minister asking if he had any ideas for a fundraiser for my family. He said he had an even better idea.
He made an announcement during the church service regarding my family. (most already knew about DH's diagnosed) He set me up at a table after the service with a donation box that my daughter made. We did this for 2 weeks. My church family was so amazing, I can't even begin to tell you! I even had one of the congregants come over to my house and bring me money! Twice! Another woman who doesn't even attend my church, but knows one of the congregants, met me at the grocery store and we shopped for food for my family.
Asking for help was very difficult and humbling but once I opened myself to receiving, the help that came flooding in was truly miraculous.:-D Stu Millheiser and the ALS Guardian Angel Foundation provided us with a check to help with our expenses. What a kind and compassionate person he is! And just a few days ago, we got a letter from DH's union staing that they are increasing the STD payments by $150 a week, retro to July 1st. :-D God truly provides, we just need to be open to receiving!
God Bless every one of our PALS and CALS.
Linda
As most if not all of you know, it is so much easier to give rather than receive help. Society sure has us programmed! My DH was diagnosed with ALS 8/07, with symptom onset spring of 05. He worked for as long as he could, actually longer than he should have. His last day was the end of Feb. He was approved for SSDI within 30 days, but we will not see a check until late Sept. You guys know the drill! I am on SSDI myself, for eye and knee problems. All we had coming in was a small STD check through his union. So money has been a little tight while we wait for his SSDI to start, especially since our real estate taxes, home owners ins. & car ins. are all due within 2 months of each other!
We have always been a family that gives and helps others out, and I realized that now it is time for us to reach out for help. So why was this so difficult for me? I did alot of praying and finally emailed my minister asking if he had any ideas for a fundraiser for my family. He said he had an even better idea.
He made an announcement during the church service regarding my family. (most already knew about DH's diagnosed) He set me up at a table after the service with a donation box that my daughter made. We did this for 2 weeks. My church family was so amazing, I can't even begin to tell you! I even had one of the congregants come over to my house and bring me money! Twice! Another woman who doesn't even attend my church, but knows one of the congregants, met me at the grocery store and we shopped for food for my family.
Asking for help was very difficult and humbling but once I opened myself to receiving, the help that came flooding in was truly miraculous.:-D Stu Millheiser and the ALS Guardian Angel Foundation provided us with a check to help with our expenses. What a kind and compassionate person he is! And just a few days ago, we got a letter from DH's union staing that they are increasing the STD payments by $150 a week, retro to July 1st. :-D God truly provides, we just need to be open to receiving!
God Bless every one of our PALS and CALS.
Linda