Stabilizing Our Home and Health
June 24, 2026
Columbus, OHIO
Dear friends, family, and kind neighbors,
I hope this letter finds you all well. Writing this is not easy, but necessary. It comes from a place of humility, love, and a deep desire to care for VictoriaAnn as best as I can.
From 2017 to 2019, VictoriaAnn underwent four major medical procedures, including a craniotomy to remove an arachnoid cyst that had been bleeding into her brain. Then, beginning in December 2022, she began experiencing AMS (altered mental status) episodes— more than 30 episodes over a three (3) year period. These episodes are unpredictable, frightening, and require close monitoring and care.These episodes are unpredictable, frightening, and require close monitoring and care.
Because of the frequency and severity of these medical events, I made the highly difficult decision to retire early, so I could be home to care for her. We have been informed that, due to her limited work history, she does not qualify for Disability Benefits. At this time, VictoriaAnn is unable to be gainfully employed due to her ongoing health challenges.
As many of you know, we live on a fixed income between my Social Security, military retirement, and my early USPS retirement. While we live as modestly as possible and manage our finances as carefully as we can, the reality is that her medical needs create a financial strain that is difficult to keep up with. One of her necessary monthly maintenance medication’s is nearly $90, and her overall out-of-pocket healthcare costs often reach $300-$400 each month. When combined with groceries, household, essentials, our mortgage, and utilities, it becomes a very tight balancing act.
To help stabilize our home and meet these ongoing medical needs, we have set a campaign goal of $45,000 over the next 5 to 6 months. Of that amount, we need at least $6000 by the end of July to begin required work on the house so we could move forward with a refinance of the property— a crucial step in keeping our home secure and sustainable.
Your support — whether through giving, sharing the fundraiser, or simply praying for us— means more than we can express. We don’t take your kindness lightly. Every gesture, every thought, every prayer is a blessing to us. I assure you that every dollar raised in this campaign will be carefully spent, and any money raised above our goal amount will be put to good use. We are very well aware that some of you may not be in a position to contribute financially. That’s okay. However, we very much appreciate and value your prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for caring about our family and our situation. We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you.
In gratitude,
James “Jimmy“ and VictoriaAnn Cochran
