Posted on 12/07/2005 10:56:26 AM PST by southlake_hoosier
I know that Vanity items are mostly looked down upon, but I need some help. I am hoping that someone can lead me in the right direction, or point me to it, or someone in Illinois works for a organization that can help.
My Brother-In-Law was diagnosed with Luekemia about 4 1/2 years ago. He was given 5 years at the most. His wife in the meantime has had lung and heart problems. At the moment she is at home, Hopsice is there and she has at most 48 hours to live. My wife has been taken care of his wife for about the past month, and is with Hopsice at this time. My Brother-In-Law has continued to work, in order to keep healthcare on his wife over the last four years even though he himself is diagnosed terminal.
With all the expenses lately, his electric bill, I just found out is $2600 overdue. ComEd wants $750 of this by December 13th, or they will shut his electric off. None of us have a lot, and even if we pitched in what we have we could not come close to that much money. We pretty much live pay check to pay check.
Prayers from TX
$2600 overdue?Where do you find a utility that lets it go that long?
Does Illinois have such a law? Or do they have a similar law which protects people over a certain age (if this would apply here)?
Failing that,the power company could be threatened with lots of very bad publicity in the local press if it carries out their threat.
I hope everything turns out OK!!
Call in your local TV station. Give them permission to air the couple's problem. Someone will step up!
National Charities like Salvation Army and United Way may help you will have to contact them
Prayers for you and your family. Good Luck.
Pinging the list for suggestions.
Most power companies will pay part of a customer's bill if they're going through hard times, but they do expect the customer to come up with some money too. $2600 sounds like many months of non-payment. At some point they will shut off the power if they don't get some money. I would suggest taking up a collection among your family and giving the power company $100 or so, just to show them a good faith effort to pay.
I work for a power company. They're not heartless bastards, but they do need a constant income so they can pay their employees.
After spelling out the circumstances to the billing supervisor, see if they will set up another account under a different name, and agree they can shut the new account off if you miss a single payment.
Or try searching the Illinois state web-site, find `statutes' and see if public providers like ConEd must extend some sort of dispensation/allowances for users with special needs, e.g. does she require oxygen, use a machine that requires electricity?
Or contact one of those *$@!%&# lawyers at your local legal services organization.
If she relies on machines (reperator?) they can't shut it off.
also check with Catholic Charities and the Saint Vincent DePaul Society......I don't think it matters if you're Catholic.
We're not in Illinois, but we go to a church that is prepared to meet the needs of those in our area in this type of circumstance, even if they are not part of our congregation.
They wouldn't not give the money directly to the person, but would make arrangements to cover the bill.
Find a "mega church" or church with a larger congregation and I imagine you'll be able to get some help with the bill.
GO TO THE LOCAL TV STATIONS AND TELL THEM YOUR STORY. LET THEM DO A PIECE ON IT.
CALL YOUR LOCAL RADIO PROGRMAS AND TELL THEM YOUR STORY AS WELL. LET THEM REPORT ON IT.
CALL JAY LENO OR DAVID LETTERMAN AND TELL THEM YOUR STORY AS WELL. LET THEM HAVE SOMONE ON THEIR SHOW TO TELL THE STORY OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.
SCREAM FROM THE HIGHES ROOFTOPS. YOU'VE GOT TO GET THIS STORY OUT. YOU CANNOT DO IT ALONE. USE THE TOOLS AT HAND WHICH ARE THE ABOVE MENTIONED OUTLETS. GIVE IT A TRY!!! NO ONE CAN HELP YOU IF THEY DONT' KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.
God bless those people near death's door. I will continue to pray for them.
Not to start a flame war, but I have always felt that going to the media should be the last resort.
I feel that you should work within the system as far as possible. There are many relief agencies, government programs, and laws protecting people who need help. Several folks have made good suggestions. Try those first, before you go to the news. Give the systems the chance to work as designed. I think that you'll have good success if you are honest and forthcoming to the agencies.
I take it you have a lot of experience asking for charity.
Call the United Way and learn the local agency that is tasked with the responsibility for this type assistance.
There are federal programs for last resort problems such as the one you have outlined but the agency taking care of the need is designated by the United Way and varies from city to city.
I'd rather sit in the dark.....
"I take it you have a lot of experience asking for charity."
Nope. But I do have experience working with creditors. If you work with them in good faith, you can work it out, in my experience.
Many charities exist to help with this exact problem. If you dial 211, many areas have a United Way access number that will direct you to the appropriate charity groups.
The United Way serves as a clearing-house for other organizations, in the Atlanta area. They are worth contacting.
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