Vietnam vet needs help to save home
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Courtney Parr and this is my family's story. I ask that you please take the time to read this as we need all the help we can get. Thank you very much!
Jennifer, Michael, and Courtney Parr at a veterans Christmas get-together
This is Michael Parr. A vietnam veteran served from 1968-1972 who is the father of 4 children. Although we are so thankful for what he's done for our country, it has had some downsides. He has many medical problems, one major one having been diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimers as of 2014. After being hurt on the job, he became a caretaker for his daughter Nicole, 31 who is mentally disabled. She has autism and prader-wili syndrome. She needs 24 hour care and with my dad now having memory issues, my mom had to quit her full time job to be home to take care of both my dad and sister.
Michael and his daughter Nicole
With that happening, I am currently the only one working in the house. My older brother, Anthony has taken many of the hardships our family has been through within the past few years very hard and is now focusing on bettering himself and his health. That is something we all respect, agree with and want for him. My younger brother, Cody has given up nearly all of his teen years to stay home and help my mom take care of my dad and sister. You'd think it isn't much work but you'd be surprised at how difficult it can be. I work full-time providing respite for mentally disabled children and adults. I LOVE my job but unfortunately all the hard work just hasn't been enough.
Nicole and Courtney
About 1 year ago, we had to raise $13,000 to be accepted to a monthly payment plan for our debt in back property taxes. My grandmother who lived in this house before us was not paying them as she was unaware of them. After we moved in, my dad was taking care of all of the bills and everything financially while my mom worked full-time. That was about the time he started having memory issues and couldn't remember to make the payments for the property taxes. Due to this, we are now backed up in about $32,000 of property tax debt that we are now being told we need by July 1st or else the house goes up for auction. My mother has done all she can to get the county to work with us but they absolutely will not.
We were accepted for a monthly payment plan but even that was not something we could do. My sister also has congestive heart failure and needs to have oxygen 24/7. Having the oxygen tank on all day every day adds up on the electricity bill, but there is nothing we can do about that. My dad struggles with his condition and wants to feel independent and helpful in any way he can. We let him do daily tasks around the house like cleaning dishes, vaccuuming, etc. The only problem is he then forgets to turn water off, lights off, vaccuums off, etc. which in return makes bills even more expensive as well. But we feel that is something we will have to let happen otherwise he feels helpless, useless, and as if the battle between his brain and him has already won. And that is something I will not let my father feel if he doesn't have to.
I personally would like to remain living with my family. It is a great priviledge being so close to my dad and sister where I can create as many memories and spend as much time with them during this stage in their lives.
I'm saying this because if we are forced to leave our home I will have to find somewhere else to go. Our family has less of a chance to be able to afford anything if I stay with them also.
Lastly, my father just simply cannot live somewhere new. It would create many more difficulties for him. He is comfortable in his home. His memories are here. His memories of where certain things are and how to do certain things will drastically change and be worse for him in a new environment. Throughout this process of what he is going through we have done all we can to make things easier and better for him. I'd like nothing more than to keep it that way.
We are asking for any help that we can get. So CAN WE DO IT?! We definitely can't do this alone and are beyond grateful for any help given to us. With just 21 days left.........PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR FAMILY TOGETHER AND SAVE OUR HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
The Parr Family
Jennifer, Michael, and Courtney Parr at a veterans Christmas get-togetherThis is Michael Parr. A vietnam veteran served from 1968-1972 who is the father of 4 children. Although we are so thankful for what he's done for our country, it has had some downsides. He has many medical problems, one major one having been diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimers as of 2014. After being hurt on the job, he became a caretaker for his daughter Nicole, 31 who is mentally disabled. She has autism and prader-wili syndrome. She needs 24 hour care and with my dad now having memory issues, my mom had to quit her full time job to be home to take care of both my dad and sister.
Michael and his daughter Nicole With that happening, I am currently the only one working in the house. My older brother, Anthony has taken many of the hardships our family has been through within the past few years very hard and is now focusing on bettering himself and his health. That is something we all respect, agree with and want for him. My younger brother, Cody has given up nearly all of his teen years to stay home and help my mom take care of my dad and sister. You'd think it isn't much work but you'd be surprised at how difficult it can be. I work full-time providing respite for mentally disabled children and adults. I LOVE my job but unfortunately all the hard work just hasn't been enough.
Nicole and Courtney About 1 year ago, we had to raise $13,000 to be accepted to a monthly payment plan for our debt in back property taxes. My grandmother who lived in this house before us was not paying them as she was unaware of them. After we moved in, my dad was taking care of all of the bills and everything financially while my mom worked full-time. That was about the time he started having memory issues and couldn't remember to make the payments for the property taxes. Due to this, we are now backed up in about $32,000 of property tax debt that we are now being told we need by July 1st or else the house goes up for auction. My mother has done all she can to get the county to work with us but they absolutely will not.
We were accepted for a monthly payment plan but even that was not something we could do. My sister also has congestive heart failure and needs to have oxygen 24/7. Having the oxygen tank on all day every day adds up on the electricity bill, but there is nothing we can do about that. My dad struggles with his condition and wants to feel independent and helpful in any way he can. We let him do daily tasks around the house like cleaning dishes, vaccuuming, etc. The only problem is he then forgets to turn water off, lights off, vaccuums off, etc. which in return makes bills even more expensive as well. But we feel that is something we will have to let happen otherwise he feels helpless, useless, and as if the battle between his brain and him has already won. And that is something I will not let my father feel if he doesn't have to.
I personally would like to remain living with my family. It is a great priviledge being so close to my dad and sister where I can create as many memories and spend as much time with them during this stage in their lives.
I'm saying this because if we are forced to leave our home I will have to find somewhere else to go. Our family has less of a chance to be able to afford anything if I stay with them also.
Lastly, my father just simply cannot live somewhere new. It would create many more difficulties for him. He is comfortable in his home. His memories are here. His memories of where certain things are and how to do certain things will drastically change and be worse for him in a new environment. Throughout this process of what he is going through we have done all we can to make things easier and better for him. I'd like nothing more than to keep it that way.
We are asking for any help that we can get. So CAN WE DO IT?! We definitely can't do this alone and are beyond grateful for any help given to us. With just 21 days left.........PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR FAMILY TOGETHER AND SAVE OUR HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
The Parr Family
Organizer
Jennifer Jerman Parr
Organizer
Valencia, CA