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| George and his beloved dogs |
As you all know by now, social media is instrumental in promoting a blogger's work and not only does Lindaraxa have a Twitter account, but so does my sous chef @lucywestie. Behind all the pets on Twitter are real human beings, many of whom I have met in person and become good friends. Others are in faraway places from the Orkney Islands to Australia but never more than a tweet away. We have shared many good times together but have also been there to support those who needed it. All in 140 characters.
One of the most popular "anipals" , and perhaps the funniest of them all, is a Bichon by the name of @missbusybiz. Her mother and the real voice behind "Missy" is Francy Saunders, a professional senior care giver and a friend of Lindaraxa since the beginning. I found out today that Francy and her family have lost their home and are in the process of packing their belongings and trying to find a home that will keep them all together. This process is specially hard as Francy's husband is in the final stages of advanced Alzheimer's. George, a World War II veteran, frequently cannot even remember how to walk, leaving him bed-bound and helpless, as his mind drifts in and out of reality. His only constant is Francy and the dogs, Missy and Kirby. This, of course, leaves Francy drained emotionally and physically from lifting him but you would never guess it from her tweets. Twitter and the character of @missbusybiz are her only outlet after a long day of caring for George. How she does it, I don't know.
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| Francie and her dogs Missy (front) and Kirby |
Doctors have told Francy moving house is possibly critically dangerous for George because of the stress he will go thru, which will spike his already severe Alzheimers, but sadly the situation is out of her hands. Foreclosure papers have already been sent. He cannot be placed in care because they cannot afford to pay for it. Francy is well known for her blog: Senior Care Tips For Family but even she didn’t see this coming. Francy also tweets under @SeniorCareTips and @WritersThatChat.
I have not been on Twitter much lately but had noticed that Missy was noticeably absent from my stream. I understand from friends that she has been quite stoic about the situation claiming she was just tired when asked what was wrong. For a long time, the family has been living on the bare minimum from George's military pension as Francy had to quit her job to take care of him. A few months ago when their electric bill was about to be cut off, her friends on Twitter got together and paid it. They have sent her food, clothes and one even pays for the dog food every month. That is how dire the situation is.
A friend of Francy is helping to move her and has offered to pay her first and last month's rent. She needs a place that will take in her family including her pets. Twitter pals have organized themselves to give her a virtual party on Twitter this Wednesday to lift her spirits. They have also set up a ChipIn box should you care to help. It will be really appreciated, at least to get them settled in. But folks, this family needs more than a few dollars. They need to be able to stay in their home with no worries. I cannot believe that in this country a World War II veteran in the final stages of Alzheimer's can be displaced from his home.
More than anything, I am asking for help in passing the story along, especially to the right sources. Any help or suggestions you can give us that would help the family stay in their home would be most appreciated. The family lives south of Seattle, Washington.
I REALIZE THAT WE CANNOT HELP ALL THE MILLIONS WHO ARE UN EMPLOYED OR ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR HOME BUT WE CAN, AT LEAST, TRY TO HELP ONE.
My email is lindaraxa@gmail.com should you care to contact me directly.
Other friends helping the family:
here , here and here
The family is in need of Seattle social services. Here are some contacts that may be able to help:
ReplyDelete1. City of Seattle Human Services Department
http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/
2. Catholic Community Services-WA
http://www.ccsww.org/site
3. Veterans Resources, Seattle Crisis Directory
http://www.scn.org/crisis/veteran.html
4. The American Legion
http://www.legion.org/
5.Seattle Veterans of Foreign Wars
http://vfw.org/
6. Alzheimer's Association-WA
http://www.alz.org/alzwa/
7. Washington Care Planning Council Lists of Alzheimer's Facilities
http://www.carewashington.org/list02_wa_Alzheimers_facilities.htm
8. National Care Planning Council
for Alzheimer's facilities
http://www.longtermcarelink.net/a7alzheimers.htm
9. Aging Care.com - info about vets needing alzheimer's care including financial info.
http://www.agingcare.com/Articles/Vet-assistance-for-Alzheimer-s-and-Dementia-Care-136878.htm
10. Dept. of Veteran Affairs website re homeless vets
http://www.va.gov/homeless/
Lorrie,
ReplyDeleteWhoever you are....that's the best help anyone could give us! Thank you. Will pass it on ASAP
I hope you are able to help this family. Unfortunately, it is hard to find a place that accepts animals. Veterans organizations do have emergency help, but it means using the phone to do the calling to ask for financial help. If they had a friend or someone from a veterans organization who could help out with that phone calling, it would help a lot. I forgot to write down that they should also contact their local congressman & senator. They have staffs that can help in a case like this. Don't know what else to suggest -- except maybe they could find a low cost rental mobile home in an rv park? If worse comes to worse, & they are on the street, then the husband would have to go by ambulance to the local VA hospital. Know that's not the best option, since they don't take pets, but if they are shut out of their home, that may be the only thing left. The boarder might have to be on their own & find another place. The pets could go temporarily to a friend or to a local shelter. Sure hate to see a veteran end up like this. Please keep us posted as to what happens.
ReplyDeleteHi Lorrie,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I would hate to see them on the street. The twitter community has a lot of affection for them and we have started an account for them, especially if we can get them legal help.
Why don't you send me an email so I can keep you posted directly as, except for you, none of my readers seem to be too interested.
I am an attorney and can offer the following suggestion: Your friend should very seriously consider filing for bankruptcy, as that would result in a STAY of the foreclosure proceedings. Bankruptcy is not the "stain" it once was, particularly in the wake of the ongoing financial crisis. Her credit rating is likely already irreparably damaged by being in default on the mortgage, so she really has nothing to lose. It could take (literally) years before she actually has to leave the home, during which time she and her husband could remain there with their dogs. if do not live in the area where they are located, but she should contact her local bar association and ask for a referral to a bankruptcy attorney. I urge her to at least look into this option.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read this, hope those resources can be of help.
ReplyDeleteThere is something wrong in this country if our veterans are in such need!
To anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your interest and help. I will pass this on right away to the family and those who are trying to help.
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteIndeed.