Thanks for being there when basic needs weren’t so basic

Your pledge helped Louise and Gary get the relief their family desperately needed during last summer’s heat wave

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Names: Louise and Gary, and their daughter Michelle

Residents of St. Louis

Agency: United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater St. Louis, and Home Services, Inc., which received a one-time grant from United Way

Life challenge: When the heat wave of summer 2006 hit St. Louis, it was the last thing Louise and Gary needed. Their 29-year-old daughter Michelle, nicknamed Missy, had cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and the 100-degree heat could send her into seizures.

“We were desperate, and she was struggling to breathe,” said Louise. “Our other air conditioner conked out, and we had no way to keep the house cool for her.”

They had been dealing with challenges – both their own and their daughter’s – for years. When Louise’s rheumatoid arthritis became too debilitating, she had to turn over care of Missy to her husband. Gary, who is deaf and legally blind, was unable to work. He was responsible for feeding Missy, preparing her medicine and changing her.

How United Way helped: Louise and Gary sought the assistance of the United Way-funded United Cerebral Palsy Association, and relied on the agency for adult daycare for Missy five days a week.

Then in July, the heat came. Louise and Gary were doing their best to care for Missy, but they were out of options.

To help low-income families who were struggling during the 2006 heat, the United Way awarded Home Services, Inc., with a one-time grant. The grant allowed the agency to screen families in need of heat relief, like Louise and Gary, and provide them with air conditioner units.

Good news result: The continuing services of the United Cerebral Palsy Association kept Missy safe and assisted with her day-to-day care.

The one-time intervention from Home Services protected her during one of the most dangerous times of her life.

“If it wasn’t for the United Way making the donation to Home Services, Missy would have died a lot sooner,” said Louise. “She died in January of this year, January 17. But we are so fortunate that they were here to help us.”

Give today. Help today. Families like Louise and Gary’s need United Way agencies for immediate needs and for ongoing challenges.