Keeping my spouse safe and in the home.

"Oh God! Runnin to the alter like a track star!" (Justin Bieber) Praying God keeps him safe. I will be back ASAP. I can't dillydally he may fall or move and not be able to get up or remember where he is..... my constant random thoughts Chapter 1 - A Caregivers PTSD.

First a walker

Then a wheel chair

Then a hoist for the bed.

Then...

My spouse of 33 almost 34 years has had Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (Young Onset progresses slower than other Parkinson's Disease) for the last 20 years. Last month, he suddenly went into a steep decline. He started dropping his eating utensils & finally could no longer pick up food & bring it to his mouth. He was using a walker & now his legs can no longer support him, he is now in a wheelchair. And the last symptom that developed is hallucinations. My Stevie needs supervision to be safe & I do not want to place him in a nursing home where he won't know where he is or why he is there & above all I don't want him to be scared. He is the most gentle soul anyone could ever meet.

I am 75 years old & began working for Indian Health Services (IHS) seven years ago because we needed to be able to pay for his medication & bills that were draining our income and to get medical insurance. I recently requested to telework so that I could keep him safe. His declining physical and mental situation would not interfere with the work that I do. Other IHS facilities have allowed employees, that have the same responsibilities as I do, to telework. My request was denied. Why it was denied I do not understand, my husband is dying & does not have very much longer time on this earth. Teleworking would have allowed me to keep him in the home safely and maintain our household income to pay bills and keep our simple home. As well as to responsibly maintain my workload assigned to me at Indian Health Services (IHS). I have requested leave to protect my job & our insurance but must take leave without pay that we cannot afford. This was approved by IHS.

I am now at a crossroads & a catch-22. I will be forced to place Steve in a nursing home because I was not given the opportunity to telework; and the nursing home will be paid for by selling our humble home and displacing me.

Or with your kind generous monetary gifts, I can take care of him in our home for now.

Please consider my request for assistance and your random act of kindness will be an incredible gift to us. I am requesting six months of living expenses (my income for six months) donations. Donations not used will be refunded if my Stevie is no longer with us before the end of six months.

Sincerely,

Aileen Burgess