It has been a rough couple of weeks, our beloved family pet, Ash passed away. Truth be told, she was always Anthony's dog. Ash was always an old soul, she would rather snuggle over fetch. When it came to Anthony would mountain bike, she would run, and run! Ash was a trained therapy dog. She was loving, kind and loyal. The sicker Anthony became, the closer she was to him, not leaving his side, despite her own health deteriorating. To say she will be missed is an understatement. Our home has become loud with quiet, and our hearts filled with emptiness. ...and yes, we are still waiting for Anthony's most recent appeal for disability!!!!!!!! It is a very personal, important thing. Knowing you need help, asking for help and then trying to express how very grateful you are. This is A Hand-Up not a Hand-Out! Hello, and thank you for reading Anthony's story, for sharing with your social medias, families, friends and co-workers, and for hopefully donating to my son, Anthony's LFEBridge. Be the friend we all need once in a while, a friend that will support you, and not judge you. We look forward to the future when it is again our turn to help the next one in-line. We have several financial due dates pending, but, I would like to introduce you to my son, Anthony. Anthony was misdiagnosed when he was about 15 years old, and was told that he had Celiac's disease. In retrospect, my son has suffered with GI (gastrointentinal) problems since birth. They called it Colic as a baby, then a sensitive "gag" response into his childhood. We thought he was a "picky" eater. Slowly, progressively his symptoms worsened until, finally, he recieved his missed diagnosis of Celiac's. We were relieved that his mysterious belly-aches and other symptoms finally had a name. He was in college when he became gravely ill and was admitted into the hospital and spent about 10 days on a Progressive Care unit, while we and the excellant nursing staff waited. An amazing doctor came into the room announcing that he did not have Celiac's, and he walked out. The diagnosis was ultimately BOOP and Severe Crohn's Disease. He quite literally save my son's life. My son is 30 years old, and he has given me a wonderful grandson. Chase is 7 years old (he is full of sunshine), he misses rough-housing, riding bikes, and hugging his dad. So, why fundraise now? Anthony began a Crohn's flare about 20 months ago. He was use to them, a few times a year, and had learned how to monitor and care for them as they passed over a few days to a week. This was different. He sought help from the doctors he had seen previously, only to have his needs met with a wall of indiffence, and phone calls not returned. (keep in mind, this was still the COVID age). Anthony had lost his full time hours at work, and was placed on a part-time basis. His insurance was compromised and without full coverage, he was very clearly being ignored. Despite his constant pain, and symptoms, he went to work EVERYDAY. He was sent home almost daily by his boss due to pain, the need to use the restroom constantly, vomiting or fevers. His boss kept him on as long as he could, but at the beginning of January 2024 he lost his job, moved back home and was clearly too ill to obtain new employment. During one of his hospital admissions in the summer of 2024, he did find a GI doctor to actually began to listen and investigate his symptoms. The hospital helped him obtaine Medicaid insurance! YAY! Biologic medications began and failed. He is now on his fifth one, as he "failed" the others. He was sent to surgeons for consults due to strictures. After several attempts we found one that would operate. The operation took place this June 2024. He has an ilieostomy now. The future of his disease is pending. Crohn's is a lifelong disease, progressive. He will always have to be on medications. With the correct medications/biologics there is a real opportunity for a remission. In the meantime, Anthony has applied for Disability and has been denied, he has reapplied and was denied, he has appealed again. He has even offered to show them the hole in his abdomen with his intestines coming out! The only income he was recieving was post his employment in January. He was getting about $200.00 a week in unemployment, that has run it's course (remember he was unable to work the hours needed for part-time, so the calculation for how much he was entitled to was low). So here he is, now September and still NO DISABILITY! (picture attached of latest denial). Being proactive, Anthony has attempted to improve his future by taking an online course for CODING. He is great at it! He is looking for a job that will allow him to work from home, but with his recent surgery, and a future surgery pending, he has not landed a job YET! The BEST donation would be a offer for an entry level job in Coding! This type of career will allow him to work from home if needed and hybrid otherwise. Currently, he has no money coming in, and I have exhausted my small savings. His Chevy Cavalier 2005 car needs a clutch, we were told about $1,500.00. (pictures of receipt attached) The car repair is quickly becoming increasingly important. We have been using my car, however, I am changing positions and will need my vehicle full time. The bills for re-education are due about $5,000.00, and the threat to lose his opportunity to provide for his future is at risk, as he could be made to leave the program. Auto insurance, general day-to-day costs and of course, NUMBER ONE : his expenses for his son are digging a fast and deep financial hole. So we politely, and respectfully ask for your help. Can you please share this with your social media family and friends, and would you please contribute, no amount is to small. We thank you for your consideration!
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