62 Year Divorcee Seeks Government Grant For Handicapped Accessible Home

by Deborah Murphy
(Ladson, SC, USA)

I am a 62-year-old, recently divorced woman with diabetes, lupus, severe osteoporosis, kidney problems and vision problems and a few other medical problems.

My husband of 30 years could no longer cope with my various illnesses and he got a divorce.

I live in Ladson, SC in the home we shared for 17 years. I now find that I need to have some work done on the house so that I can continue to live here.

I share my home with my 21-year-old daughter who is working part-time and pays me $300 a month in rent.

I get $794 in Social Security Disability and $300 a month in alimony. I have been on Social Security Disability since 1980.

At this point in time I have no way to come up with the funds necessary to do the renovations on my home and my only other option is to move.

I saw my Neurosurgeon recently and he told me that he has done about as much as he can for me and that I will not be able to put off the wheelchair much longer.

At this time my spine is fused from C1 to C7 and from L4 to S1. I have several discs that are not doing well throughout the remainder of my spine, and the spine itself is deteriorating.

Because I have severe polyneuropathy from 51 years of diabetes and lupus I do not have much feeling in my arms and legs, and because of the severe Osteoporosis I break very easily.

I was on IV Boniva and had been for a year when I stepped off of the bottom step and shattered my left leg and split the knee in December of 2007. I have also broken my left hand and wrist and many of my toes.

My home, which was built in the late 1970s has a sunken living room (they were all the rage at that time) and would not be accessible when I do end up in a wheelchair.

I need to have the floor raised in that room so that it is level with the rest of the house, and I would also need to have one of the bathrooms made handicapped accessible.

I have gotten some estimates and will need about $23,000 to $25,000 to do all of the changes so I can stay in my home.

For me to come up with $23,000 is not possible. I would appreciate any financial assistance or help in getting available government grants to help me make my home accessible and safe for me.

I will always remember those who could help provide this chance to stay in my home.

Thank you for your time and concern.