THANK You!! My car needs repairs as badly as I do!

My name is Mary Schreiber, and I am a semi-active 71-year-old. I learned a long time ago that I am happiest when I can help others. I spend much of my time doing what I can to help friends and neighbors get to shopping and medical appointments. Before retirement, I taught computers and various software programs, so I also help others with their computer and phone issues.

I have lots of medical issues. I've had over 15 operations and various procedures, most recently having a kidney removed due to cancer, and all that has taken my retirement money down to nothing. Frequent doctor appointments (6 appointments in the next 3 weeks) require me to have a car. But when I'm not at a medical appointment, I can take neighbors and friends to their appointments, since many of my neighbors can no longer drive.

Many of my issues began with a car accident in 1996 when I broke my foot. Since the foot never healed correctly, I’ve developed other problems in that leg. Most of the time, I use a scooter to get around. And to do that, I need a car that can transport the scooter.

And now it is the car that is sick! The car is a 2010 Ford Transit Connect. But, the brakes went out the other day, and brakes are important! After getting estimates on repairing it, there is no way I can afford to get it fixed. It is a software control module, and the estimates are about $2000, with the cost of the part (with a 2-3 week delivery time) coming in at about $1200, and the rest is installation and programming. Other major car expenses have been deferred, and it would be great to get those issues dealt with at the same time.

With inflation the past couple of years, I have been using my credit cards to meet expenses, but I don’t want to add these expenses on top of what I already owe, as I am already struggling to make those payments.

Can you help me out? Any amount will help get me to my doctor and rehab appointments, as well as back to helping my friends and neighbors.