Some tragedies occur suddenly, stealing things we value most, and leaving us shaken to the core realizing how very vulnerable and close to the edge we all really are. Then, there’s the other, often overlooked kind of tragedy that happens more gradually, brick by brick, and often without widespread outcry to alert anyone but those closest to the situation. In both cases, we later grieve the outcome and wish deeply that there was something we could have done to help prevent the worst. Here is your chance to stand in the gap for one family and help ensure a happier ending.
In August 2021, our son-in-law, Jacob was struck with a host of mysterious symptoms that disrupted his work and home life and sent him rushing worriedly to his doctor. This was the start of a yearlong and ongoing series of losses and setbacks for his little family (including wife, Meghan and baby girls Harper and Lydia, now 3 and 1 ½ ).
Jacob’s symptoms and their sudden onset didn’t fit neatly into any common diagnosis and his doctor ran the usual tests but found nothing definitive. Meanwhile, Jacob continued to suffer daily debilitating bouts of vertigo, extreme heart rate spikes, temperature sensitivity, cold sweats, nausea, and sometimes even loss of consciousness. He was unable to perform his job as a City Postal Carrier for the USPS (a position he’d worked 2 long years to attain, and which allowed him to support his family so Meghan could stay home with their girls). When no easy answers came, his doctor dismissed him, saying she couldn’t find anything wrong and refused to write a letter for work since she had no diagnosis to offer. This would soon leave the family with no income and no way to prove a genuine reason for not earning one. The year that followed required battle after battle for referrals, to be taken seriously, proper testing, failed heavy medication trials, and after months of no income at all, for enough benefits to catch up their rent and other basic needs enough to survive.
Randy and I were able to use the equity in our home to purchase the lot and mobile home situated directly behind our property. It will mean permanent safe housing for Jacob, Meghan and our granddaughters, with family support close by to help manage whatever comes next. The trailer needs substantial rehab to be ready for these kids to move into, but winter is upon us, and time is short as their moving deadline is near. We have stretched ourselves to finance the purchase and all the associated costs. Meghan and Jacob will contribute all they can and put in as much labor as they can physically (and medically) manage, but we need help to make this happen in time to keep them housed and prevent more turmoil for their family. We have done our very best to always be on the giving end when a need may arise, but this need is just bigger than our immediate resources and we need to ask for help. If we can gather even small contributions from friends, family and a few generous strangers, we can work through the list of repairs and renovations in order of priority and make a home for the Florucci family for Christmas. They can finish this year with a small measure of peace which they have been missing for too many months. Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to offer. We believe in the power of community.
Practical considerations and requests:
• If you are not comfortable using a fundraising platform like this, you can give directly via PayPal, Venmo, or CashApp (details to follow in comments), or message privately for mailing info. Gift cards to Home Depot or for gas for trips with a truck to pick up materials would also be incredibly helpful if you feel so inclined.
