Julie's War Against Homelessness
Donation protected
I am a hard working single mom with two disabled children trying to keep my family together. My son has Autism and my daugther has Chronic Lyme Disease. Our family has been homeless since January 2nd of this year. I lost my job in September of 2015, due to having to take too much time off to care for my daughter. I have been unable to find work since then.
My son got his diagnosis of Aspergers late in life and is struggling with the social aspect of every day interactions with people. He tries and is successful in some areas, but he struggles and is not able to hold a job due to his many social anxieties.
My daughter got her diagnosis of Chronic Lyme Disease back in February of 2013, a few months before graduating high school. She was tutored from home the majority of her senior year, while dealing with her medical issues. She fights a number of medical issues caused or in conjunction with the Chronic Lyme , such as IBS, intractable migraines, thyroid disease, and possible Endometriosis. We try to keep up with treatments, but the doctor visits are extremely expensive and out of pocket to treat the Lyme. I have been unable to take my daughter to be treated for almost a year and a half now, due to the expense of seeing a Lyme Literate doctor.
I am working my hardest to just keep my family together under one roof. We cannot go to a shelter, since we have 2 cats and a dog. They are emotional support animals for the entire family, and keep the calm and stress levels down, which is extremely important for the well being of myself and my kids. Aside from the animal aspect, 211 (emergency housing), would have to put my son in a totally different area of shelter housing because of his age, which is not a possiblilty due to his needs and the care I provide for him.
The main use of the funds would be used for housing and anything above and beyond for my daughters medical needs. The funds would be used immediately for housing needs.
A friend urged me to do this. I'm not someone who puts all their personal stuff out there so this is extemely difficult for me. I am very grateful for everyone in my life who has ever done anything for myself and my family. Whether it has been monitary or just being a solid person for emotional support.
Grateful, wouldn't begin to describe how thankful I'd be for the generosity of all the people who cared enough to reach out and help my family and myself.
My son got his diagnosis of Aspergers late in life and is struggling with the social aspect of every day interactions with people. He tries and is successful in some areas, but he struggles and is not able to hold a job due to his many social anxieties.
My daughter got her diagnosis of Chronic Lyme Disease back in February of 2013, a few months before graduating high school. She was tutored from home the majority of her senior year, while dealing with her medical issues. She fights a number of medical issues caused or in conjunction with the Chronic Lyme , such as IBS, intractable migraines, thyroid disease, and possible Endometriosis. We try to keep up with treatments, but the doctor visits are extremely expensive and out of pocket to treat the Lyme. I have been unable to take my daughter to be treated for almost a year and a half now, due to the expense of seeing a Lyme Literate doctor.
I am working my hardest to just keep my family together under one roof. We cannot go to a shelter, since we have 2 cats and a dog. They are emotional support animals for the entire family, and keep the calm and stress levels down, which is extremely important for the well being of myself and my kids. Aside from the animal aspect, 211 (emergency housing), would have to put my son in a totally different area of shelter housing because of his age, which is not a possiblilty due to his needs and the care I provide for him.
The main use of the funds would be used for housing and anything above and beyond for my daughters medical needs. The funds would be used immediately for housing needs.
A friend urged me to do this. I'm not someone who puts all their personal stuff out there so this is extemely difficult for me. I am very grateful for everyone in my life who has ever done anything for myself and my family. Whether it has been monitary or just being a solid person for emotional support.
Grateful, wouldn't begin to describe how thankful I'd be for the generosity of all the people who cared enough to reach out and help my family and myself.
Organizer and beneficiary
Julie Damico
Organizer
Wallingford, CT
Jay Damico
Beneficiary