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A little help gives family breathing room during father's illness

Dear W.C.,

I heard you help people who are in need. My daughter is in great need of your help. She is caring for her husband, who has multiple sclerosis. He used to work in construction and was such a big, strong man. Now he is losing the ability to walk and talk. He has had several relapses this past year and now he can no longer work or support his family.

My daughter has a job working as a waitress and is struggling to care for her husband and children and pay all the bills. I help as much as I can, but I also must work to support myself and cannot take any more time off. I watch the children and her husband when she works nights. I know they need the income her job provides.

— A worried mother

Dear readers,

I called the mother to obtain more information. She did not provide her daughter’s address and telephone number.

The mother apologized for forgetting to put such important information in her letter. She said in her worry and stress over the situation, she had simply forgotten to include it. After we spoke about her daughter and son-in-law for some time, she provided me with the information I needed to contact this family.

The mother was crying with relief after our conversation. She had been living filled with stress and fear over her son-in-law’s health and their growing financial struggle. She is a widow and living in subsidized housing for the elderly.

I contacted the daughter by phone to set up a time to visit. The mother had filled me in on how hectic her daughter’s schedule was with all of her many duties. I felt it best to plan a visit to accommodate her work schedule and caring for her husband. She was very happy to have me come immediately because she had four hours before going to work. I left for their rental home right away.

In 20 minutes time I was knocking at their door. A woman in her 30s answered the door. I showed her my identification and after we spoke for a few minutes, she asked me inside. She apologized for questioning my identity, but I told her I was glad she had taken such a precaution and encouraged her to always remain cautious.

With that comment I heard someone roll into the room in a wheelchair and say with slurred speech, “You got that right. I keep telling her to be careful because I am not strong enough anymore to protect my family.” I could see he said this with great sadness and loss of dignity. I turned to the man and offered my hand in greeting. He reached forward with a shaky hand and I grasped it in mine. I told him, “Just because you are in that chair, don’t think you are incapable of protecting your family. You just gave me a good scare.” And with that I put my hand on his back and gave him a smile. He responded with a smile of his own and I could feel his mood lighten with the vote of confidence.

After we all introduced ourselves we got down to the business of helping this family. I went over their financial situation and reviewed all their past due and upcoming bills. We went over the work situation and assistance needed for the husband’s care. They recently had been approved for financial disability help. When this assistance begins, their budget will be sufficient as long as they catch up on their past due bills. I could see with my own eyes and from what the couple had told me that his disease was progressing and not in remission. This couple hugged each other and looked at each other with such love and devotion I knew they were going to fight this battle together.

We helped this family by bringing their rent up to date. We also brought their utilities up to date and had their car repaired.

After our conversation, both of them were crying in great sobs. They expressed their thankfulness through their tears. The husband tried to speak clearly enough to express his thankfulness while crying. The wife explained their fear of eviction and never being able to catch up, until our visit from The Time Is Now to Help. I do not understand why such good, caring people have to endure such illness and tragedy. All I know is I am glad we, The Time Is Now to Help, were there to help these good people pick up the pieces. I am so grateful and thankful for all of our caring and sharing supporters who make our assistance possible.

Our many fellow Americans in need are thankful for your generosity. Together we make a big difference in the lives of many. God bless all of you for making all our good works possible.

Health and happiness, God Bless Everyone, W.C./Sal

Please help: Make checks payable to: The Time Is Now to Help, P.O. Box 70, Pell Lake, WI 53157. The Time Is Now to Help is a federally recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization licensed in Wisconsin and Illinois. You will receive a tax-deductible, itemized thank-you receipt showing exactly what every penny of your donation provided for the poverty stricken.

A very special thank you to: Bill and Lois McEssy/McDonald’s, Fox Charities, Kunes Country Auto Group, Clarence and Marilyn Schawk Family Foundation, Paul Ziegler and the Ziegler Charitable Foundation, Martin Business Group, Tom and Mary Johnson, Eric and Erica Lawton, Premier Real Estate Solutions, John Pomeranz, Ellen Flanagan, Joy Nelson, Richard and Virginia Watson, Dan and Sandy Derrick, St. James United Methodist Church, James and Patricia Riederer, Jack and Elaine Rehberg, Roger and Peggy Beauchaine, Michael and Monica Rehberg, Ann Dilla, Michael and B. Olijinek, Jean and Henry Zimmerman, Elisabeth Wulandari, W.C. Family Resource Center/Food Pantry volunteers, and all the God-loving volunteers of all our caring food pantries, all of you who support The Time Is Now to Help donation boxes, and the businesses that allow our donation boxes. Anyone who would like a Time Is Now donation box in your business, please call (262)249-7000.

The following donations were given in memory of Harvey Peck: Jane Peck, Nancy Katzman, Patricia and Gene Lauderdale, Daniel and Elaine Kelleher, Richard and Katherine Butke, Robert and Laurie Ellsworth, Donald and Paulette Mackenzie, Wallace and Clarita Abell, Vennice Segebarth, Jean Getka, Eugene and Doris Potterville, Peg Borgert, Donald and Helen Schmaling, Patricia Jenner, Martha Page, Donald Lightfield, Aubrey Robran-Zegar, James and Sharon Vande Sand, Sandra O’Donnell, John and Diane Wuttke, Ronald and Betty Wilson and Donna Schinke.

Gifts in honor: Monica Hochevar in honor of Rita Popelka, Barbara Feldman in honor of Carter Feldman, Les and Pauline Malsch in honor of the following birthdays: Mary Smarslek, Mary Gauger and Barbara Giovannoni.