Share Your Christmas: Recent surgery, medical treatments a drain on family finances

No. 47: Family relying on single income after recent surgery

Recent hip replacement surgery and, before that, painful osteoarthritis that forced her to use a wheelchair most of the time have prevented this mother of two from working for a while — and she doesn’t like that.

“I like to stay busy,” she told Share Your Christmas. “Being unable to work has been really hard.”

With the surgery behind her, Mom has begun physical therapy yet is still limited in the amount of time she’s allowed to stand each day. In four to six weeks, she hopes to be able to begin working part time, she said.

Meanwhile, Dad’s job is the sole source of income.

The family has never applied for holiday assistance before, but this year, Mom said she would like her daughters to have a special Christmas. Over the past year, she said, they’ve taken on the responsibilities of cooking and housework: “I am so blessed to have such good girls,” she wrote.

Art supplies and squishy stuffed animals are gift requests for the 10-year-old girl. Her older sister, 16, would like gift cards so she can select clothing, while smaller gifts for her could include a diary and charcoal sketching set.

Dad needs a winter coat, and for her gift, Mom listed a massage. Like all Share Your Christmas families, they would also appreciate any cleaning, hygiene or paper products.

No. 48: Mom and daughter dealing with frequent trips for medical care

Once a month, this mother and her 4-year-old daughter must travel to St. Louis, where both receive treatment for primary immunodeficiency. Not only are there expenses with each trip, but Mom must take three days off work for their medical appointments.

Fortunately, Mom, who’s also studying to earn a master’s degree in education at Evangel University, has an understanding employer who accommodates her absences. Unfortunately, her car needs new brakes and rotors, and Mom’s tight budget is made up of her salary and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits, with no child support.

Christmas gifts for her daughter, including clothing, would relieve Mom of one concern. Gift suggestions include a bicycle with training wheels or a Barbie dollhouse. She would also like a doll with blonde hair and green eyes who looks just like her.

With frequent infections, Mom added, her daughter “has been in and out of the hospital all her life. Despite this, she’s a cheerful little girl who is living as good a life as possible.”

No. 49: Outgoing care center resident is a Chiefs fan

This gentleman “is a character, and a ladies’ man, but always loyal to his wife,” care center staff wrote. A former U.S. Marine, he worked as the maintenance man at a local company, and as long as his health allowed, he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball.

Now, his activities are limited, but he can still play blackjack, walk outside and keepappointments with the “nail lady.” For Christmas he would like a long-sleeved shirt, tennis shoes and Kansas City Chiefs ball cap. Treats he listed are Snickers, Sprite and pork rinds.

No. 50: Well-coifed older gentleman would enjoy hair products

At an age when many men develop bald spots, this older gentleman doesn’t seem to have that problem. One of his caregivers wrote, “He has great hair.”

It’s not surprising that shampoo and conditioner are the first items mentioned on thelist of treats he would like.

Unfortunately, he was unable to tell Share Your Christmas much about his past, only that he had children and liked being a father. However, staff mentioned what a good friend he is to other residents, always patient and caring.

Additional gifts on his Christmas list are a coat, hoodie, sweatpants and a pillow.

About Share Your Christmas, how to donate

For information about how to help the Share Your Christmas families or care center residents, call 417-866-8008 or email share@ccozarks.org.

Gifts should be delivered to Dock 1 or Dock 2 on the west side of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks building, 3055 E. Division St. If the dock doors are closed, please ring the doorbell at the top of the stairs or call 417-862-3586, extension 118, for warehouse assistance. Hours for delivery are 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Monetary donations are welcome because they allow Share Your Christmas to purchase gifts that may be needed to complete a child’s toy list or fill a box for a care center resident.

If you would like to send a monetary gift to assist a particular family or care center resident, please note that in the memo line of your check. You may also write “As Needed” in the memo line, and your gift will be used for the Share Your Christmas program. Please send monetary donations to: Share Your Christmas, P.O. Box 3947, Springfield, MO 65808.

Gifts are due by Dec. 13. Monetary donations are welcome at any time.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Share Your Christmas: Family finances sapped by surgery, medical care