Couple’s medical issues causing financial woes Fundraiser set for July 27 By Melissa Fales Turley Publications Reporter HARDWICK – Michelle and Wally Curnew of Wheelwright are looking forward to celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in September. However, for the past eight years their marriage vows of “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health,” have been tested by serious medical and financial issues. Now the couple is reaching out to the community for help, “Were at the end of our rope,” said Michelle, “We dont know what were going to do.” In 2006, Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, she enjoyed a brief period of good health before taking ill again. Shes currently battling metastatic bone cancer, a terminal disease. Although she worked through her first bout with cancer, shes in no condition to work this time. Her right leg and foot are paralyzed, leaving her mainly wheelchair bound and her other bones are extremely brittle. “I’m in and out of the hospital,” she said, counting seven admissions to Mercy Medical Center since January. Michelle recalled how she once took care of people for a living. “I worked for the state Department of Mental Retardation, in nursing homes and in private homes,” she said. “I never dreamed I would be on the receiving end of that kind of care someday.” Tending to Michelles medical needs took a toll on Wallys job at a wire and cable company. Now hes on disability with his own medical issues. “I woke up one day and my left leg and knee were swollen and I had a cough,” Wally said. “At first, I thought it was just stress from everything going on with my wife, but the doctor says I have an enlarged heart.” On disability Wally receives only a portion of his regular pay. Hes also lost his health insurance. Michelle said her mantra throughout her illness has been “take it day by day,” but that was easier before Wally’s heart trouble. “It’s another worry,” she said. “We didn’t need another thing to worry about.” The Curnews are also in danger of losing the roof over their heads. When they moved into their current home in 2008, they entered into a rent-to-own agreement with the owner, paying the mortgage each month as well as for general repairs and upkeep. “We had two paychecks coming in then,” Wally said. The Curnews acknowledge that they fell behind in the mortgage payments a few times due to overwhelming medical bills, but they paid what they could. When the property owner took off, the Curnews were left in limbo. “Even though we were paying the mortgage, our names weren’t on it,” said Wally. Since then, the house has been foreclosed and the bank took it over in January. The Curnews continue to live there, but have been given 60 days to vacate the premises. Wally declined to name the bank. “I’m hoping we can work something out with them where we can stay here,” he said. “This is our home.” He said the family recently installed a ramp for Michelle and thanked Robinson Lumber for donating the materials. Aware that staying in their current home might not be an option, the couple is completing an application for emergency housing and is grateful for Senator Stephen M. Brewer’s (D-Barre) pledge to help them receive any state housing aid they’re eligible for. Wally says they’re open to all avenues of assistance. “If anyone has any suggestions or knows of any programs that might be able to help us, we’re all ears,” Wally said. “Were not the type of people to beg for help. Were just in a tough spot.” One reason the Curnews have stayed is they have no place to go. “It’s hard for us to save for first, last, and security right now,” Wally said. Also, they need to find a wheelchair-accessible place that can accommodate the couple’s two teenage children, who live with them. “Most of the accessible housing is for one person or a couple, not a family,” Michelle said, Wally, who at age 47 is three years older than his bride, said most wheelchair accessible housing is designed for seniors. “We never expected to be facing these issues at such a young age,” he said. Still, the Curnews are quick to focus on the positive in their lives, particularly their children: Robert, 22; Samantha, 21; Aryssa, 18 and Gabrielle, 14. “Were very tight knit.” Michelle said. “Were lucky to have each other. Its what keeps us going.” Samantha has quit her full-time job in order to take care of her parents. Shes also opened up an account for the family to receive donations. Donations can be sent to the Curnew Family Fund, c/o North Brookfield Savings Bank, 35 Summer St., North Brookfield, MA 01535. Also, friends are sponsoring a spaghetti supper benefit for the Curnew family Sunday, July 27 from 4- 9 p.m. at American Legion Post 2, 450 South Barre Road, in Barre. Tickets are $8 per person and are available by contacting Kathy Perez at 413-477-6119, Samantha Curnew at 978-257-1529 or by email at smc101508@yahoo.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 11:14:31 +0000
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