Longtime Caregiver in Need of Some Care
Donation protected
Hi there, my name's Jan, & I'm trying to get a little bit of assistance for an amazing woman who's put so much of her time, love, energy, and soul, into making sure all of those around her, have everything they need, and feel supported, empowered and inspired. Whether she was providing care 24/7, to her fiance who'd suffered a debilitating stroke, to a stranger on the street, she can spot those in need of a shoulder, a hand, money, or a compliment! She believes it's her calling to give all she has.
In 2020 Tari had a scooter accident and broke her shoulder blade and the ball joint of her left shoulder. It also caused a cantaloupe sized umbilical hernia. She was determined to be her fiance's only caregiver and unfortunately allowed her own health to deteriorate to the point that she couldn't care for him any longer, & had to place him in assisted living, which breaks her heart. Her spine is drastically deformed, and she relies on a walker, but even then she can't go far. She's just 54 years old.
While she was taking care of her fiance', they both lived on his social security which was not much, but they made it work. When he moved out, his income was needed for his care. She's applied for SSI, but it's a long process. So for now she lives on $400/mo and food stamps. She's wanting to work, but she is having a difficult time finding a position with her very limited mobility. Plus, after the first of the year, she is undergoing abdominal surgery, which is a 2-3 month rehabilitation process so she's really struggling with a lot right now.
She's 1½mos behind in her rent, and she's on waiting lists for subsidized housing. She's doing all she can to help herself, but it's not happening fast enough and I fear she will become homeless.
One thing that would be so incredibly helpful to her, would be a vehicle. She usually drives old Hondas from the 90s, and she's able to work delivering food, with a car, using her walker to get the food to the house(or Apt) She's had a lot of driving jobs and knows the greater Seattle area very well. Doing light delivery work, she's able to set her own hours, so she can work around her upcoming surgery. Plus she goes broke very quickly taking Ubers to the grocery & appts.
So if anyone is willing to help with her rent, or a vehicle, it would completely change her quality of life!($1,500-$2,500 would get her a great little car!) Maybe you have an old car you're not really using? She's not picky. She drives manuals and automatics and as long as it's safe, she doesn't care about any issues with the body.
Tari is probably the most grateful & humble person I know. She believes that life is too short to focus on the negative things, & views every obstacle as an opportunity to learn & grow. Any assistance would mean the world to her! Thank you so much for your time, Jan Yarro
Organizer
Tari Harris
Organizer
Seattle, WA