The Official Modest Needs Blog

Hurricane Irene Still Doing Major Damage

Just because broadcasters and meteorologists on the television are no longer screaming in panic about the destruction of Hurricane Irene doesn't mean that this tragedy is over. Not by a long shot. In fact, the damage is still being done:

States along the East Coast continue to feel the impact from Hurricane Irene, which later turned into a Tropical Storm. 

The storm has now been blamed for 44 deaths in 13 states. 

In New Jersey, although rivers have crested and slowly are beginning to recede, the water continues to destroy homes and businesses. 

While residents begin clean up, attention is now turning toward Tropical Storm Katia which is gaining strength in the mid-Atlantic and could become a hurricane later today.

Right now Modest Needs is asking people across the country who want to help those affected by the storm to contribute to a very special "modest" fund that will be reserved specifically for those with requests brought on by Hurricane Irene.

This storm is still a disaster. With your help, we can see to it that these families get right back on their feet.

[Photo by David Shankbone]

Hurricane Irene Still Doing Major Damage

Just because broadcasters and meteorologists on the television are no longer screaming in panic about the destruction of Hurricane Irene doesn't mean that this tragedy is over. Not by a long shot. In fact, the damage is still being done:

States along the East Coast continue to feel the impact from Hurricane Irene, which later turned into a Tropical Storm. 

The storm has now been blamed for 44 deaths in 13 states. 

In New Jersey, although rivers have crested and slowly are beginning to recede, the water continues to destroy homes and businesses. 

While residents begin clean up, attention is now turning toward Tropical Storm Katia which is gaining strength in the mid-Atlantic and could become a hurricane later today.

Right now Modest Needs is asking people across the country who want to help those affected by the storm to contribute to a very special "modest" fund that will be reserved specifically for those with requests brought on by Hurricane Irene.

This storm is still a disaster. With your help, we can see to it that these families get right back on their feet.

[Photo by David Shankbone]

Application of the Day: Help Dad with MS Become More Mobile

The Applicant of the Day explains his Modest Need far better than anyone else can:

I am 30 year old guy with a wife and two young kids (a nine year old girl and a three year old boy), and six years ago I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) during my senior year of college. Luckily, I was able to complete my bachelor's degree and now work full time as a Mechanical Engineer. My whole life I was a very active guy. I used to play football and basketball. Now, I am unable to run or even walk long distances. A few weeks ago, my wife as an anniversary present rented a regular two wheeled bicycle. I felt alive again being able to move. Unfortunately, it was short lived as my balance and muscle fatigue made it unsafe and very difficult to ride. 

I need Modest Needs' help to afford an adaptive bike so that I can safely ride a bike. I fear that if I do not do something now that I my MS will progress so far that I will be unable to even ride an adaptive bike. Our family is already on a tight budget and an adaptive bike which would allow me to safely ride is something we just can't afford. I am the main provider of a family of four. While my wife works part time she mainly stays home with the kids. 

When I was riding the bike I felt so capable. For the first time since being diagnosed with MS I was able to go fast and it made me feel so happy. My wife said that I was just beaming. Not being able to move and keep up with my kids has really dealt a big blow to my self-esteem. I feel like if I had an adaptive bike it would allow me to feel like a man again. 

I feel like I have done all the things in my power to maintain my health. I eat healthy; I go on short walks at work, I regularly see a counselor, I go to church almost every Sunday. My wife makes sure that I do all the things I am 'supposed to do'. I'm a family man trying to set the right example for my kids about not giving up and to keep on trying. To show them that even though I couldn't ride a two wheel bike, I did not give up. 

Knowing that there are people from around the world that got inspired enough by my story to donate would leave a lasting impression on my life. It would show my family that people care and we are not alone in this world, that we have people rooting for us. Also being on the receiving end of charitable generosity I would be obligated to give back. What better way than through charitable bike rides.

To invest in the life of this individual, please visit his request on our website.

Low Income Americans at 50% Greater Risk for Heart Disease

There is some very disconcerting, but certainly interesting, medical news that relates directly to the working poor in the United States:

People with lower socioeconomic status are much more likely to develop heart disease than those who are wealthier or better educated, according to a recent UC Davis study. Published online in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, the outcomes also show that this risk persists even with long-term progress in addressing traditional risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol.

"Being poor or having less than a high school education can be regarded as an extra risk when assessing a patient's chances of developing cardiovascular disease," said Peter Franks, a UC Davis professor of family and community medicine and lead author of the study. "People with low socioeconomic status need to have their heart-disease indicators managed more aggressively."

Using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, authors of the current study included information on more than 12,000 people aged 45 to 64 years living in North Carolina, Mississippi, Minnesota and Maryland. Participants reported their education and income levels in 1987, and then over the course of 10 years were periodically evaluated for heart-disease diagnoses and changes in their risk factors, including cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking.

The results indicated that people with lower socioeconomic status had a 50 percent greater risk of developing heart disease than other study participants.

According to Franks, although it is known that people with low socioeconomic status have a greater risk for developing heart disease and other health problems, the reason is often attributed to reduced health-care access or poor adherence to treatments such as smoking cessation or medication. This study showed for the first time that the increased risk endured despite long-term improvements in other risk factors, indicating that access and adherence could not account for the differences.

"Low socioeconomic status is a heart-disease risk factor on its own and needs to be regarded as such by the medical community," Franks said.

50%?! That is outrageous. And what is interesting is the idea that socioeconomic status should be considered right off the bat when assessing potential heart disease. They may even give higher doses of cholesterol-lowering medicine to those with lower incomes.

This could, potentially, become a sticky issue. Treating people differently based on class has long been considered unfair, but in this instance it is in efforts to keep the poor healthy and safe.

What do you think about this study? We'd love to hear from you below.

[Photo by Tiffany]

Application of the Day: Car Repairs (& Dishonest Mechanic) Put Disabled Woman in Dire Straits

She is a 50-year-old single woman in Red Oak, Texas who is fighting cancer of the pineal gland, as well as advanced degenerative disk disease, cervical scoliosis and reverse curvature of the neck. It's no question that these ailments are a large burden to bear, but constant and seemingly unending car repairs have put her in a scary financial predicament. 

She bought a car that she thought would safely get her to and from her medical appointments, but has been having expensive repairs done to it ever since. On top of that, one mechanic took her for a ride, charging her for work to a repaired vehicle that broke down just three miles away from his place of business. 

As a result, this struggling single lady is asking for assistance in paying for the seemingly endless car repairs under our Independent Living Grant. With this one-time help, she can get back on track, continue to get herself healthy and eventually become independent and employed after her surgery. 

She tells us, 'I am terrified of being homeless again as I do not have enough money to cover my rent for August. I've gone over my budget from all angles and all I see is gloom and doom. [With this grant], I would be able to start saving again so that I can move to a less expensive apartment.' 

It is clear that this individual is on the cusp if self-sufficiency, if only she can get a hand up after a string of bad luck. If you'd like to see that she gains that financial independence, you can make a contribution to Modest Needs and use your points to vote that we fund this request. As soon as this application has 100% of the points needed, we'll immediately remit payment for her car—her sole form of transportation.

[Photo by Emir Jones]

How You Can Help Those Affected by Hurricane Irene

Today, I share with you a special appeal written by the founder and CEO of Modest Needs, Dr. Keith Taylor:

Time and again at Modest Needs, immediately after natural disasters of this nature, Modest Needs sees a dramatic increase in requests for assistance from persons living in areas affected by the storm.  The requests that we receive generally fall into one of two categories.  First, there are those persons who, on a shoestring budget, had no choice but to go out and buy supplies that they would not normally have needed to purchase - everything from extra food to generators - and, as a result, will have difficulty paying a regular bill next month.  Secondly, we have applications from people whose homes and cars were damaged by the storm and who now much pay insurance deductibles in order to complete necessary repairs.  

We expect to begin seeing these types of requests for assistance within the week, as soon as power and the Internet is restored to affected areas.  And we want to be ready to respond quickly to those requests when they come, as for many applicants, time will be of the essence.

In response to your many requests following Friday's newsletter, today, Modest Needs is launching a 'modest' relief fund to assist people affected by this storm with the two specific types of expenses described above.  Our goal is simply to get people affected by this storm back on track so that they can continue taking care of themselves, despite the short-term financial impact of the storm on their lives, and we'd like to raise a 'modest' $25,000.00 so that we can quickly help those persons who apply for assistance to overcome the undue burden posed by these types of expenses.

If you'd like to help people affected by Hurricane Irene with the two types of expenses I've described above, I'm writing today to ask if you'd please consider making a special contribution to Modest Needs specifically for that purpose.  To make a secure, tax-deductible contribution to aid those affected by the storm, please just visit https://www.modestneeds.org/donation/online and make the contribution of your choice.  In the box labeled "Please use my contribution,' select either 'Operations' or 'Hurricane Relief' (we'll be adding the 'Hurricane Relief' tag shortly.)  We'll add your contribution to the 'hurricane relief fund,' and we'll be working to fund applications tied the hurricane as quickly as possible as they come in, and once they've been appropriately vetted to avoid 'waste.'  

At Modest Needs, we have very few 'special appeals.'  This is because we know that if you contribute to an organization, the last thing you want is to be bombarded with requests to give.  I wouldn't ask now if I didn't know that the need for this specific type of assistance was going to be substantial, but certainly, we'd all hate to have to say 'no' to persons affected by the storm who really need this assistance, simply for lack of funding.  I'm certain most of you out there feel exactly the same way, and I'd like to thank you in advance for your support of this special initiative.

Thank you so very much for taking the time to read this brief update.  I'll look forward to hearing from some of you soon - particularly if you have questions about our hurricane relief efforts - but in the meantime, take care, be well, and please know how much I personally appreciate your willingness to reach out to those who were affected by this very significant storm.

[Photo by Timothy Krause]

Application of the Day: Sickness + Accident Doesn't Have to Mean Eviction

This Garner, North Carolina mother to two sons was dealt two recent blows: an emergency trip to the hospital for gallbladder removal and an auto accident. Combined, these crises put her behind on rent and on the brink of eviction.

But sickness and an accident shouldn't be the reason this woman and her sons face homelessness. This applicant works full-time, can normally take care of all of her expenses and lives independently; it's just these mishaps that have caused her to fear eviction.

She is asking for one-time assistance under the Self-Sufficiency Grant so that she can get back on her feet after life threw her two nasty punches. Without help, she could be put on the streets. With help, she can continue to be with her sons and work and thrive and live a life of dignity.

You can make that happen when you contribute to Modest Needs and use your points to vote that we fund this application. And you'll get a thank you note expressing, in her own words, the power of your small change to change a life.

Thank you for considering this request and for your continued support of Modest Needs.

Thought for the Day

“Hope never abandons you; you abandon it.” ~George Weinberg

A Note Regarding Hurricane Irene

Today's blog post was written by Modest Needs' CEO. It contains very important information about application processing:

Good morning, everyone.

It's been a very long time since I've sent out a personalized news update. That's because, now that we have such solid Facebook, Twitter, and Blog presences, generally, people who want to follow all the latest goings-on at Modest Needs are able to receive up-to-the-minute news, on demand, almost 24 hours a day (don't you love that?) But today, I wanted to send out a quick note as we at Modest Needs prepare to face our first bona-fide natural disaster.

As you probably already know, Hurricane Irene is slated to hit the coast of North Carolina on Saturday. From there, the storm's projected path takes it straight up the "Northeast Corridor." At present, the eye of the storm is forecast to pass directly over New York City / Western Long Island as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. NYC's office of emergency services is telling us to expect the worst sometime between 8:00am and 2:00pm on Sunday, and the impact of the storm on New York City itself - not to mention our neighbors up and down the Eastern Seaboard - is projected to be 'extreme.'

As many of you know, I've been in New York almost ten years now. I've seen a lot of warnings and various types of preparations for disasters, real and anticipated. I can tell you that I have never seen anything like this. As I write this, hospitals and elder-care facilities in certain parts of the city are being evacuated. If nothing about the storm's path changes, then sometime tomorrow afternoon, NYC is expected to shut down mass transit - the entire subway system - which will be offline until after the storm passes (this is absolutely unprecedented). And if the subway system itself floods, it is very likely the all of NYC will lose most of its utility services, as here, power lines and such all run underground.

What does all of this mean, for those of you who've applied for help from and support Modest Needs? Simply this: if the storm does not change course or weaken substantially, it is very likely that Modest Needs' office will be closed until the storm has passed and both power and Internet access have been restored.

The good news, of course, is that Modest Needs' website should remain up and running; our servers are located well outside of NYC and away from the worst of the storm, so if you need to apply for help or would like to make a contribution to this very important work, which I suspect we'll need very much after the storm, you should be able to do so (fingers crossed).

But if the storm hits NYC as expected, and with the intensity expected, it's very likely that we will not be able to process applications, answer calls, or respond to email until power and Internet access are restored (Modest Needs' office is so 'connected' that even our phone runs through the Internet.)

Please rest assured that, if the worst does come to pass and the storm hits NYC and its neighbors to the north and south as projected, all of us at Modest Needs will be back in the office and back to work at the very first possible moment. But in the meantime, I wanted first, to alert everyone to the possibility that Modest Needs' office will almost certainly be affected by this storm, and secondly, to tell all of you in the path of this massive storm that we'll be thinking of you as the storm moves through the Northeast Corridor this weekend.

If you live in a hurricane evacuation zone (as I do, unfortunately - I have to prep my 'go bag' the moment this is published), please take every precaution to protect yourself and your loved ones, and please know that all of us at Modest Needs are thinking of you.

Here's hoping this storm changes course and we're all back to work on Monday. But in the meantime, to everyone in the Modest Needs family, and especially to those of you in the path of this massive storm, take care and be well.

Warmest Personal Regards,

Dr. Keith P. Taylor
President / Executive Director

 

Application of the Day: Help Cancer Survivor Avoid Foreclosure

She is a five-year breast cancer survivor who works 60 hours a week to make ends meet after learning that the home she and her husband bought ten years ago has major structural damage. Repairs to the home are incredibly costly. In addition, her husband has been very ill of late and has been traveling from doctor to doctor in hopes of finding a diagnosis. Meanwhile, it is impossible for him to work, further putting a strain on their finances. 

When a fender bender required that they replace the front of their van—their only form of transportation—they had to pay for the expensive deductible. Without their van, there was no way for her to get to work. Now that the van is fixed, this struggling couple finds themselves unable to pay their mortgage. 

Under our Self-Sufficiency Grant, this fighter of a lady in Baltimore, Maryland is seeking one-time assistance with their house note. The alternative is foreclosure. But you can help them avoid that slippery slope into poverty by making a contribution to Modest Needs and using your points to vote that we fund this application. When this request has 100% of the points needed, we'll immediately send a check to their bank in the full amount owed. And afterward, you'll get a thank you note, in her own words, expressing just how much your 'small change' changed their lives for the better.