Aid for Beloved Disabled Father at Risk for being Unhoused

Request for Support 

Dear Family + Friends + Community, 

We are reaching out to let everyone know the depths of the situation regarding our Dad, Chris's health and to humbly ask for your support in this difficult time we are navigating. As most of you know, Chris has always been an incredibly supportive and loving father, community member, as well as an outdoorsman, priding himself in his active lifestyle we liked to call "Camp Strong.” Unexpectedly this past January Chris's symptoms have accelerated to the point where he can no longer work, prepare meals, and daily life activities are an immense challenge for him. He was hospitalized twice in the past month for inability to breathe. He was our rock in our lives and it is devastating to witness this happening to him. 

 As many of you know he was diagnosed with Parkingson's disease when Audrey, Sloan, and I were in high school. Since his diagnosis 10 years ago, the disease hardly progressed and his regular check ups with his neurologist were positive and optimistic. He has done a tremendous job managing his physical and mental health despite many other life challenges through yoga, mountain biking, and hiking. 

Since losing his job without severance and the sudden inability to live alone; we have moved him back to Charlottesville to be closer to family and friends. This came as a sudden shock to all of us, Chris included, as he has been doing well for many years. He was recently diagnosed with moderate dementia, severe anxiety and depression, insomnia, as well as a list of other health complications. 

This has been immensely challenging for Audrey, Sloan, and I as we are just starting out in our adult lives and do not have the resources to support him financially or as a full-time caregiver. Reilly has moved back to Charlottesville with Audrey and Ammon to tag team supporting him physically, emotionally, and financially. However, the three of us have taken well past the allocated time off from our jobs. 

Thankfully, we are utilizing the full extent of government aid to support him. We were able to apply for Medicaid and got accepted. We also applied for disability which will be able to pay for most of his rent + expenses and hopefully a part-time caregiver. We are working on a long term plan to ensure Chris is supported emotionally, physically, and financially in the future. 

However, disability takes 6-12 months to process. We are humbly reaching out for financial support for his rent and medical expenses until disability is accepted. We are also accepting support to pay for a part-time caregiver so that Audrey and I can return to work. 

We are doing everything we can at this time to support our Dad in his time of need and we are praying that he will be able to have a better quality of life in the near future. It is devastating for us to witness and the three of us need help from family and friends to get through this and ensure he can stay in the house we just moved him into. 

We are so grateful for any support, even your prayers. And thank you for reading this letter. Please feel free to reach out to us for details on his financial situation or any other questions you may have. 

With love,

Reilly and Audrey