Caregiving Expenses

In June of 2016 my 37 year-old son, Justin, (who was @ that time living in Dallas, TX) was in an accident and had a traumatic brain injury. He was released from the hospital, but clearly had short term memory problems and difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality. Without insurance, he was released into the street rather than to a memory care center where he should have been. Fast forward several months and he ended up in a hospital in Austin with blood clots in his legs and lungs. He was prescribed Xarelto, but could not reliably be counted on to take his meds when he was supposed to. In June 2017 he had surgery in Houston to put a screen in to filter the clots since he was not compliant with the medication. After hurricane Harvey, both his Dad and I (we are no longer married) received calls from Justin. He was disoriented and hallucinating that he had "been in a boat in a hurricane for four days!"  He wanted us to "come and get me!" He was homeless, penniless, completely confused and disoriented. His Dad and I discussed with each other and with Justin what should or could be done. After a couple of weeks, our son's condition worsened. For the first time since the brain injury he began losing long term memories. A couple of times he didn't even recognize me and, to make matters worse, he was losing his appetite. After an emergency trip to the hospital, we made the decision to move him up to The Woodlands, TX with me (his Dad lives in Houston with his 3rd wife) and I would enroll Justin in services with Montgomery County. Less than a week after I took Justin in, his Dad had a stroke and a heart attack while he was visiting family in Corpus Christi. Both Justin and I were shocked and saddened. After a few days, his Dad got the all clear to return home, but would need open heart surgery. I found myself alone with a grown  son that can not be left alone at all, so I took some time off until I could find appropriate home care for him. I got a little behind on my bills. Being self employed, my attitude has always been that I can do anything I put my mind to. Unfortunately, I underestimated the toll of being a self employed person and full time caregiver with no financial, physical or emotional support. That's the short story. Justin is SSI pending. He is enrolled in services @ Tri County Behavioral Health Center where he has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and PTSD. He has been prescribed Trileptal to control his mood swings, but may need other medication, as well. A recovering alcoholic (he has been sober for almost 4 months) he frequently has cravings, but is learning to manage them. He has met with Deonte Grant of Texas Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services and is expected to start memory care and vocational training, eventually. However, I was told @ Tri County that Justin may always be this way. The director of their psych hospital considers Justin "fully disabled." Justin and I have discussed the possibility of getting a two bedroom apartment (right now he is sleeping on the sofa of my tiny 1 bedroom place). That way, if he does well with vocational training, he has some place to live until he can be on his own. And, if he is unable to regain his memory, he will live with me for the rest of his life. Services are coming. It is a matter of when.  We need financial help immediately. Justin came here with the clothes on his back and nothing else. Some kind and thoughtful neighbors donated some clothes and enough food for about a month. Justin has regained his appetite and is eating 5 or more times a day...which is great! He needs to gain weight. But, until funding comes through, he has a lot of needs that are not met. He has health problems, is difficult to transport (he is often confused and aggitated when we are driving), and needs shoes that fit, ect. His stepmother has stepped forward and is helping pay for his home care  on the days I need to be on the road seeing clients (thank you, Amanda!), but he really needs full time care. He is a handful and I am single with no family nearby. In addition, I have my own health problems (which I will not go into here) that I manage with proper diet, yoga, meditation and rest...and, as you can imagine, is not happening now. I am a couple of months behind on some of my bills, so I desparately need funds to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table.  I want to be very clear, this money will go to: 1) Helping me catch up on household bills. 2) Shoes for Justin. 3) Food. 4) Transfer to a 2 bedroom apartment.* 5) Health care for Justin that is not covered by Montgomery County. 6) If any money is left over, it will go toward a full time care giver. *Justin needs his own room. He is sensitive to light and sound. He has frequent head aches. He is easily startled by loud conversation. So, except for his caregiver, we don't have company. And, until we can afford a full time caregiver, I can not go out. If you can not donate money, or are not comfortable doing so, please donate shoes. Justin's are too tight. He leaves the house in his sock feet and carries his shoes. Even flip flops would be helpful. Or a gift card to Target or Walmart. He wears about an 11 1/2, depending on the style. He also needs more pants or shorts. But, really, we need financial help NOW. Losing my car or apartment would be devastating. We have no place to go. Justin can not stay with his Dad who is in recovery himself. No one wants to house a 38 year-old recovering alcoholic brain injury victim with PTSD and schizoeffective disorder. And, I will not stay someplace without him. I will not leave him, because Justin can not currently take care of himself. He can not remember where he is most of the time and needs to be reminded. I don't know what we would do if I don't manage to cover the bills soon. Once funding comes through, this will not be an issue. Thank you for your help. I am an artist. I would happily create some art for you in exchange for funding. Anything I can do from home or at my computer.