My URL: http://www.microgiving.com/profile/rayhawkfam Online |
Member Since: 01/29/08 | Login Count: 2536 | Profile Views: 6226 | Last Login: 07/02/09
Biography
We are a family of 4 living in a rural town in South Carolina. My oldest son and I are disabled and my youngest son has some developmental challenges. My life partner is healthy and she works at our local gas station where she has been ever since we lost our home in late 2003. We do our best to overcome challenges and do what we can on our own using as little government or public aid as possible.
Our family has enough income to cover our basic needs but there is rarely any money left to use or save for auto, home or property repair and upkeep. In my county if you don't mow your lawn you are fined, if your car breaks down and you can't fix it in 30 days you are fined for a disabled vehicle. If you can't afford to insure and register your vehicle on time you are fined for that. If your neighbors find your yard to be an "eyesore" you can be ordered to repair any home or fence damage or fined.
We have consistently spent most of our spare income in satisfying the neighbors or battling fines and fees for disabled vehicles. We seek to build a privacy fence to enclose our property to stop these complaints so that we can continue to collect discarded lumber, building supplies and other items to tackle some of our home and property repair needs. Some things need new building supplies such as the sub flooring and ceiling repairs we need help with those building supplies but much could be done with salvage as long as we have privacy fencing and can legally collect it.
My Purpose
To be the friend I wished I had when I was alone in the dark.
You can reach me by AIM, MSN, Google or Yahoo messenger. My ID for all networks is JustRayhawk.
My Email address is not private as it's used everywhere on the internet for sites I help out with. You can email me any major webmail network as JustRayhawk (@yahoo.com, @gmail.com, @hotmail.com)
Recent changes in my life : My son has been planting hedges, vines and flowers so we can start screening in our kennel to make a privacy fence on one side.
Favorite board game Monopoly
What is most important thing in your life? Family
Pick five words that describe yourself : Kind, Fair, Honest, Boring, Friendly
Can you juggle ? No
What is your favorite day? Saturday
What is your favorite season? Spring
What is your favorite meal? Spinach Omelette
What time do you wake up in the morning? I sleep days and get up around 2PM
If you could have one super power, what would it be? To Fly
Comedy or Horror? Comedy
If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? Rural Land in South Carolina
What is your greatest ambition? To have a family farm
Who is the person from you past you wish you could go back and talk to? My Grandmother
What characteristics do you think you've inherited from your parents? Stubborness, Endurance, Loyalty, Honesty, Charity
What do you never leave home without? Car Keys, Wheelchair, Crutches, Scooter, Walker,
Who would you most like to meet? Not sure yet
If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? Get all the mobility equipment I will ever need, Get a reliable vehicle, buy a piece of land, go green and donate the rest
What is the most embarrassing thing youve ever done? Picked my nose in public
Hobbies and Talents : I'm a computer geek
List achievements and any future educational plans : To make it through 2009 with no sprains, breaks or dislocations
Photos Of Rayhawk
(Photos: 10 | Views: 19 | Last upload: June 30th, 2009 )
This is to show I was prescribed a new set of leg braces. I never got them though because again what was recommended did not match what was allowed and it was of no use to make taxpayers pay for something that wouldn't help.
Family photo taken at my sisters house December 2007
This is showing my partner does have a job. She is paid twice a month and this is what she takes home each pay period.
Me (Becky), My mom and Amy at my mothers birthday party Feb 2009
Rick will need to loosen the wheel for the cards so I get up, and now here is a good shot of the creative way I fixed up my chair to accommodate my dislocating hips. A cheap walmart boat seat!
Amy and I in the tee shirt booth for the Down Riders 2009 fund raiser. I couldn't do tees this year because I had to have help getting into the booth then couldn't move around once in, I did mini videos instead so I could stay on the pavement.
Proof of my SSI for disability. I do not get SSDI because I have been disabled all my adult life and have never earned enough work credits.
Bill pay report from my bank that shows payments made automatically to our basic needs creditors
This is a printout of my electric company billing and payment history to show what my electric charges are and that I do pay my bills.
Copy of a trash bill to show another of our basic expenses, it also shows the last amount paid on it.
Ugh, wheelchair tire blew and I have no spareOk, that is no fun! I'm sitting there then all of a sudden a strange hiss of air. Looked down and my tire is flat. Ok, yeah I know tires go flat, but there is something unsettling about a tire going flat in your wheelchair. I don't have a spare and can't afford to get one.
When a tire goes flat on your bike and you can walk it home. Goes flat on the road...well you can still sit in your car comfortably till help arrives. When it goes flat on your chair you can't sit in it, you can't move as easily as you could 2 minutes ago and suddenly your whole life is turned upside down. This is a first experience for me and I don't like it.
It's hard for me to use other chairs to sit in, transferring is extremely painful on my knees and hips. I have great difficulty getting out of any chair, but with my trusty wheelchair I can push the chair tow >>>
Description: Nanette had moved a long way from her home as she had an opportunity for a better life,
however that did not work out and she is now stuck in that new area with no friends or
family. She could not pay the cost of the move so her belongings are locked up in a
storage and she must now cover deposits for renting a new place and having utilities
turned on. Once in a new place and once she has her belongings she believes she will be
able to find employment without a problem.
My progress: Nanette is on waiting lists for local aid, but this could be a problem as she has not been
a resident in this area long enough, no denials yet as she is still awaiting interviews
but her child has medical issues and requires a special diet. This is becoming urgent.
This is a short term need assistance request for a family of 1 adults & 2 children
My message:Nanette is a current level 3 member of MicroGiving. She cannot place her own request due to having no reliable transportation or income and has come to me for help. ALL funds donated to this request will go to Nanette.
http://www.microgiving.com/profile/nanette
Supporting Documentation: Rayhawk has the following documentation
Do you qualify for any additional help?: Unknown at this time, but applications have been filed in known agencies.
What local/other agencies have you contacted?: She has contacted emergency food programs.
Did you get denial letters? (if so are they attached to your request?): No denials yet, as there have been no interviews yet.
What other sources of income do you or your family receive?: Currently there is no income, they are staying with someone willing to help temporarily
Description: A neighbor complained about a cat who escapes my fence and wanders into his yard. He
wanted to know if my cats were vaccinated against rabies.
Because nearly all of my cats are in an enclosed kennel except for the few who manage to
climb the fencing. I never vaccinated for rabies because only a couple had access to the
outside world and my kennel is safe from wildlife.
Well the law demands that all my animals be vaccinated for rabies whether they escape or
not. I have 7 days to comply with the vaccination law and produce 24 certificates of
rabies vaccinations.
The animal control will call the low cost clinic to verify the vaccinations or I can
present their certificates. I am in desperate need of help to get this done in 7 days.
The rabies vaccs. are $12 each. I have 20 cats and 4 dogs that need certificates.
If just 20 people can donate $12 I can get this done.
My progress: My progress was to get the 7 days. Because I could not produce rabies certificates on the
spot I could have received much worse. I have reached out to all my animal friends and
local friends but time is so short I don't know if I can get help in time to prevent being
fined and jailed.
This is a one time only expense assistance request for 3 adults
My message:I thank everyone who can help. The clinic that we use for shots, spays and neuters is a low cost clinic. You can verify the shot costs by visiting
http://www.csralifesaver.com/
Supporting Documentation: Rayhawk has the following documentation
Do you qualify for any additional help?: No, this is a violation of local ordinance as well as a law I did not understand properly. I understood free roaming pets and pets who entered public access areas needed rabies vacs. I did not know my in house or penned animals required vacs too.
What local/other agencies have you contacted?: Aiken County Animal Control, they will be putting me in touch with Molly's Militia hopefully tomorrow.
Did you get denial letters? (if so are they attached to your request?): Not at this time just issued a verbal warning and case number. I have not picked up the official citation from the Animal control yet. This happened at 9 PM on Aug 22
What other sources of income do you or your family receive?: I receive SSI my partner is a wage earner, one of her pay stubs is attached.
Progress:
$ (100%)
Still needed: $0
Request was active: 309 days
Request created: Aug 27th, 2008 | Request views: N/A | Request modified 2 time(s) | Last modified: Aug 27th, 2008
Misc. Expense
Disabled
June 23, 2008
Return to financial stability
Misc. Expense
Expense
Description: Our income is not expected to raise very much because there is only one able bodied person
able to work. Housing, utility, food and transportation costs will continue to rise. Our
family would like to depend less upon modern housing which requires more electricity and
water. We could do this by using alternative shelters, power and sanitation sources and
could benefit by growing food which we regularly use such as poultry and vegetables. If we
could only get a piece of land we could recycle cargo vehicles to use while building
alternative structures. These would later be used as part of the whole homestead. This
type of living cannot be done without the purchase of unrestricted land. Once we have land
we can and wish to do the rest ourselves.
My progress: We have not made much progress yet. My partner lost a home, land and car in 2003 so her
credit is very poor. All other family members are disabled.
This is a one time only expense assistance request for 3 adults
My message:While I have 3 adults listed, I wish it to be known our son who is legally an adult is mentally challenged and must be cared for as a child. We currently have an arrangement with a family member where we pay directly to the mortgage holder, not to the home owner. This is for the place we are living in currently.
Supporting Documentation: Rayhawk has the following documentation
Do you qualify for any additional help?: No. Alternative building and energy is still unpopular. There are places that do help with home buying and lots in which to put homes on the problem is we do not want a house but rather we wish to use alternative shelters. House payments and rentals will keep us struggling and dependent on assistance programs.
What local/other agencies have you contacted?: HUD/FHA
Did you get denial letters? (if so are they attached to your request?): No. Telephone inquiry only
What other sources of income do you or your family receive?: Wage Earner and SSI
Progress:
$ (0%)
Still needed: $10000
Request was active: 348 days
Request created: Jun 23rd, 2008 | Request views: N/A | Request modified 1 time(s) | Last modified: Jun 23rd, 2008
Land for a
self-sustaining
homestead and animal
sanctuary for
disabled animals.
Disabled
March 27, 2008
Land for a
self-sustaining
homestead and animal
sanctuary for
disabled animals.
Description: Our income is not expected to raise very much because there is only one able bodied person able to work. Housing, utility, food and transportation costs will continue to rise. Our family would like to depend less upon modern housing which requires more electricity and water. We could do this by using alternative shelters, power and sanitation sources and could benefit by growing food which we regularly use such as poultry and vegetables. If we could only get a piece of land we could recycle cargo vehicles to use while building alternative structures. These would later be used as part of the whole homestead. This type of living cannot be done without the purchase of unrestricted land. Once we have land we can and wish to do the rest ourselves.
Category: Human Services, Housing & Shelter
Why? The potential long term impact..
If we could reduce the cost of living with
alternatives shelter, utility and food. The
income coming in will be far more beneficial
to our family. We don't need more income, we
need to make the income count.
Request created: March 27th, 2008 | Request views: 136 | Request modified 1 time(s) | Last modified: June 4th, 2008
Help to get a mobility scooter
Disabled
February 14, 2008
Help to get a mobility scooter
Description: I wanted a mobility scooter so I can do things outside of my home like shop at goodwill, salvation army, yard sales. Visit the botanical gardens, enjoy events with my local organization or just go for a walk with my partner....I can't get one on Medicaid because you must need one INSIDE your home. It will not be authorized if you need it only for doing things outside of your home. I don't need one inside my home. I probably won't hopefully for a good long time either, but this restriction means I am trapped inside my home!
I won't argue with the restriction. It's there to make sure those who cannot stand or walk without the use of a wheel chair will always have the funds available. They deserve this and I wont try to say the restriction is unfair.
What I am looking for is anyone who can help me get a 4 wheel scooter as I can't even afford to buy one second hand. I still have two children (one is a disabled adult, one is 17) to care for. I am entered in some contests with ..
Request created: February 14th, 2008 | Request views: N/A | Request modified N/A time(s) | Last modified: N/A
I need a trailer hitch and trailer for carrying mobility equipment. I now have
my new scooter and I have a wheelchair and rollator that I need to carry
Completed
April 8, 2008
I need a trailer hitch and trailer for carrying mobility equipment. I now have
my new scooter and I have a wheelchair and rollator that I need to carry
Description: I have my new scooter and I have finally been able to get out of my house and live again. The problem now is that I have too much mobility equipment that needs to be carried in a 1991 Chevy Lumina. My trunk is too small to carry the scooter, wheelchair and rollator. I can fit only one or the other in the back seat but I need the back seat for my kids when we go out as a family. Now ideally a van or quad cap pick up would do the trick but I think the least expensive route would be to get a trailer hitch installed and get a small trailer. I had thought a carrier would be good, but when we had our car repaired a few days ago we talked about that with the mechanic who said the filled carrier would weigh the rear of the car too much and he would advise a small trailer. We think a small 4 foot trailer would be the right choice and we have a pretty good chance of getting a used one. The most expensive part of this going to be installing a hitch system on our car. We are currently looki..
Category: Health, Other Services
Why? The potential long term impact..
Progress:
$ (100%)
Still needed: $0
Supporting Documentation:
Request was active: 436 days
Request created: April 8th, 2008 | Request views: N/A | Request modified N/A time(s) | Last modified: N/A
Rayhawk's Request
Misc. Expense Improve quality of life
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Due to medical reasons our family chose to abandon our plans of getting
land in which to build upon and have agreed to continue making the mortgage
payments on the place I live now to have the home turned over to me and my
children when it's paid. The existing mobile home as well as additional
structure used as living space needs interior repair mostly of floors, we
need a new roof board and shingles for the mobile home We need to install
fencing in order to use the entire land plot for gardening and kennel.