What is Digg?299 Comments
- partsbabe, on 11/15/2008, -0/+2Dale is truly a great dad and has been struggling for many years to single-handedly support his family. He has suffered many set-backs and yet continues to strive to give his children the best life, education, and support that he can.
I've known Dale for about 18 years now, and I don't know anyone else more deserving of this opportunity. If he were to win this home, it would make a world of difference in his kids' lives. And, it would give Dale a giant boost in confidence and security, knowing that his children would always have a real home of their own and space to play and grow-up in.
Please give Dale your vote, just click the green 'thumbs up'! - blueeyes94558, on 11/11/2008, -0/+2I am a contestant for a Free House Giveaway at freehouse.wordpress.com
Steven- blueeyes94558@yahoo.com (wasn't sure if all that still applied)
Hey my name is Steven and this is my story... I believe that I deserve this for so many reasons. Last year I was diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphnodes). I am now in remission. During my chemotherapy I learned that my wife was pregnant. We had been trying for 5 years to conceive with no results. We had given up hope because at my first treatment they told us that the chemotherapy would make me sterile. In December we welcomed Damien, our wonderful son, into this world. I realized that if I didn't make it, what would I leave my family other than a bunch of medical expenses? I have nothing saved, and all I own is my car. Due to medical bills we are forced to live with my mother. This would be a great opportunity for me and my family! I want my son to have everything I didn't! Just thinking about teaching him how to fix a car in the garage makes me smile! We've been through a lot and really deserve a break! - lazlotlomax, on 11/04/2008, -0/+2I agree with Silverwolf besides the housing bubble is caused more by people lack of ability to get financed than it is by falling house prices. 95% of the loans that were available 1 year ago don't exist today. only about 10% of the loans that are not available were even part of the sub-prime mortgage debacle.
- randsmillerco, on 11/15/2008, -0/+2randsmillerco@yahoo.com
I am a Contestant for a Free House Giveaway at freehouse.wordpress.com
Roy Miller
For years my wife has said all she wants is a house, a garden, and a chicken coop. But being her husband, I know better than that! She wants to provide a home for her children and make it a refuge for those who need it. In the time that Shannon has been alive, she has been through more tough times than people twice her age. Does she use what she has gone through in the past for sympathy? No, she uses it for strength to make her remember that she is strong. Does she use it for a handout? No! She works hard to provide all that she can for the kids… even if it means going without for herself. Even though we both work hard at our jobs, we know that home ownership and having a place to call our own is a long way off. Hell, we have actually said it’s too bad that one of us would have to have a life insurance policy and die in order for the other to ever own a home or pay for the kids to go to college. (LOL) Pathetic… but true! I love my wife and her children and would love nothing more than to be able to call this house “our home”.
Roy
Wow! Talk about hard to follow up! Roy already touched on so many good reasons why we would love this home! There are tons of reasons I could list as to why I want this home… but the truth of the matter is this…. Why Not?
As a parent I dream of the day that I can actually have a home that is ours. One that my children can come back to with their children and think fondly of the memories that we have created there.
As a woman I dream of the day I can walk through a store and pick out paint and fixtures for our house.
As a wife I dream of the day that I can listen to my husband tinkering in the garage as he works on a “honey-do” list.
As a friend I dream of having a house that is a beacon to those who need it… even if they haven’t stopped by in a decade.
It is not a house that makes a home, but the people that live there and the attitudes that they carry. Our home is so many of the above…. But it is not the same when you are a renter.
I know the odds of our family winning this home are slim, but we have beat the odds before and with God on our side, I have faith that we can overcome those odds again!
Shannon
We are a real family and we have real dreams.
You can reach us by email at randsmillerco@yahoo.com or by calling 541-954-1653.
The Miller-Anderson Family
Roy, Shannon, Liz, Matty, and Trinity - Odeon, on 10/31/2008, -0/+2Well this is one way to try to get out of a bad mortgage loan: ask the internet to pay for it for you. Ha!
- FabianN, on 11/05/2008, -0/+2Dr. Tran?!?!?! Selling a house on the internet?!?!?!
What WON'T Dr. Tran do?!?!!? - lazlotlomax, on 11/20/2008, -0/+2Ive tested the voting and it seems to work fine for me. They need to understand the difference between digging the story and digging the comment. Until the thumbs up is grayed out the vote doesn't count. Digg is very reliable on this one.
- MeganCherish, on 11/10/2008, -0/+2I would love to have an opportunity for Cherish and I to win this beautiful home !
Some of you will be reading this and already know me, some of you may not.
I am a single mother of one of the most intelligent, curious, humorous, loving little girls out there. My life is my daughter and I want this for her.
She has grown up most of her life in the country with her grandmother and I, while I put myself through college. She spent most of her summers chasing butterflies, searching for caterpillars, and swimming in lakes. We now live in Eugene and I know that she misses that space and those bugs so much. I know that it would mean the world to her to have her own huge pretty room and tons of space to catch butterflies for many summers to come.
I am all done with college, and working the medical field. We now live in a duplex. Of course, I could tell you many stories about hardship and struggles. Not only that I myself went through, or that Cherish and I went through together, but we all have those stories. This is just about Cherish and how much I want her to have a place to finally call home.
for Cherish!!! She will Cherish this house and all the wonderful memories it can bring her! Thanks for all your support!!!!
- Tuwamare, on 11/17/2008, -1/+3
Hi, I am a Contestant for a Free House Giveaway at freehouse.wordpress.com. Please consider voting for my family. :)
We are the Rakestraw family. My name is Toni and my husband's name is John. Our journey began long ago in a place far from Eugene, but along the way, we have been entranced one by one by our eight wonderful children. Yes, I said eight. We are the proud parents of four boys (Callum, Ian, Tristan and Ellis) and four girls (Morwenna, Ostara, Niamh and Midori) who are the reason we strive as hard as we do every single day. Having a home we can all call our very own would provide us with a security we've never had before.
John is a school bus driver. He loves working with kids. Maybe he's driven some of your kids home from school. Three years ago in December, we almost lost my beloved husband due to a congenital heart defect. One of his heart valves wore out and needed to be replaced. Fortunately for us, they did the surgery just in time. Despite the health issues that still exist from this situation that he deals with on a daily basis, he devotes the vast majority of his day to making sure kids get to school and back home safely. When he gets home, he spends time with us and works on our website, organic-birth.com, helping to build a business of our own… if he isn't so exhausted that he goes right to sleep. His stamina just isn't the same as it once was, but we just buckle down and do the best we can. He is an amazing man, and I don't ever want to imagine my life without him.
I spend my days writing articles for other peoples' websites for an article service. I begin from the time I get up in the morning, and often don't finish until I'm ready to tumble into bed at night. But it is worth the long hours for less money to be here at home with my kids. In my spare time, I also work on our site and maybe get in a bit of studying. I have been studying midwifery for several years, and it is my dream to one day help other women bring their babies into this world in a safe and loving way once my children are grown. Having kids changed our lives… to share what we have learned, we are trying to build a business helping women learn about birthing choices. This is a passion for us that developed through our own experiences birthing our children. It is going slowly, but I think eventually it will help contribute to our family's needs. We have been a part of the Saturday Market community as well, offering handcrafted natural fiber items, artwork and providing reiki treatments when they are requested, even for those who can't pay. We know what it is like to not be able to take care of your own needs because the money has run out. John and I do everything we can to make ends meet and keep our children happy and healthy… whether it is earning as much as we can at our respective jobs, returning cans to the market, or just spending some time to listen to one of the kids tell us about the cool project they stumbled across.
Our children are amazing (but then, what parent doesn't think their children are like no others?). Morwenna is our oldest daughter. She is very talented artistically and will someday make a living with her manga comic artstyle. Callum, our oldest son, is already attracting the attention of those in the video game world for his insightful reviews and comments online. Ian, who's next in line, enjoys a lot of physical activity outdoors as well as games. He is exceptionally good with babies and small children. Ostara had some health issues when she was smaller due to seizures from an undetermined cause. She has grown into a willowy pre-teen who loves to draw and is becoming an expert at origami. She is also very talented with math. Niamh, the next youngest, is exuberant and loves everything. She is developing a good drawing style, and she especially enjoys drawing our cats and rabbits from life. She also loves to run, ride bikes, and plant seeds in the garden. She is just learning to cook a little bit. Tristan is rather serious, and takes his play as seriously as any other tasks he does. His little brother, Ellis, is so full of love. He adores giving hugs and will often sit beside me as I work, just happy to lean on me. He loves the outdoors as much as Niamh and Tristan do. Our youngest, Midori, is almost 2. She has already figured out how to climb the bunk bed ladders, much to our dismay. She is one smart cookie, and she loves playing outside with the animals and her brothers and sisters.
This house would be a great boon to our family. There would be room for everyone to have bikes and have a lot of fun… from our 1 year old to our 17 year old. With an entire acre, the kids would be helping us raise food as well as providing enough room for our pets. The garage looks large enough to house a play area for the kids as well as possibly creating more bedrooms in the future. The large beautiful kitchen would be a great area for a few of our older children, as they love to cook and try new things. Even the leftover shed foundation could someday become an office or maybe a detached apartment for our older children… or maybe an art studio! I see endless possibilities with this wonderful property! Our home has always been very central to our family… we spend the vast majority of our time together at home. The house we live in now is similar in size (with the exception of the yard, which is much smaller), but with the economy the way it is, our chances of financing a mortgage in the next few months has been shot out of the water. We'll probably have to look for another place to live… and that is not an easy accomplishment with a family our size. When I have searched for a place for us in the past, many of the people I talked with just hung up when they found out our family size. Not ever having to move or go through the blatant rejection by people who don't even know us would relieve us of an enormous amount of stress, which would do worlds of good for John's health.
Owning a home free and clear would help us provide our family with lots of essentials that are beyond our reach at this moment, like a car that fits everyone inside at the same time. Our current car only seats half of us, and desperately needs to visit the mechanic when we can save up enough. It would also make a huge difference on those months that a school district job just doesn't pay the bills. We have a few of them every year. By eliminating the rent, those months wouldn't be so stressful and trying. Owning this house that George is so graciously offering in this contest would be a dream come true for the entire family. Please consider voting for us. Thank you! - BrandiHancock, on 11/25/2008, -0/+1I think tdsmith is a very strong person to addmit on the internet her past! I have been where you were and know how it feels to tell your story to people, who are closed minded and think because you have made poor choices in the past that you are junk. Don't listen to those kinda of people and keep doing what you know is right! Good for you for trying to better your self and your family! GOD BLESS!
- lazlotlomax, on 11/02/2008, -0/+1I guess the value won't drop below $0 even in this economy
- silverwolf70, on 12/08/2008, -0/+1Thank you ygavett!
I totally understand what you mean about family. They can be the best as well as some of the most painful aspects of life. At the end of the day, I understand it is about love. And when you see it from the point of view of love, it makes it a lot easier to digest.
I am glad I can be of service to you and your family. You've made my day.
Sincerely
George - kerrielea, on 11/04/2008, -0/+1Great idea, proactive instead of reactive!
- silverwolf70, on 11/04/2008, -0/+1$50 and you may not have to pay rent or mortgage again...not many people in this world own their house free and clear. Your chance of winning is better than the lottery. Here, you actually can control your chance of winning by getting your friends to vote for you.
Also, even if you don't live near the house, or want to live in Veneta, you can just sell it for a quick $200k. It's listed on the MLS for $230,000. We're getting a lot of people interested in the house at that price. - draconvarie, on 11/04/2008, -0/+1This is a great idea. I'll pass it on to all my friends.
- lilahmonger, on 11/19/2008, -0/+1I, too, know from personal experience how difficult it can be to find a home to rent when you have a larger-than-average family. Toni is a hard worker and a devoted mother and wife. She and her family certainly deserve a home they can call their own.
- lazlotlomax, on 11/04/2008, -0/+1I doubt the cost of heating and cooling, water etc..... would exceed what most people pay in rent. A house like this would cost maybe $700.00 a month for utilities and most people pay more than that in rent
- rythmicbuttafly, on 11/03/2008, -0/+1Wow! You guys are amazing, what a great idea! This is an opportunity of a lifetime! The house is so beautiful.
- tdsmith208, on 11/23/2008, -0/+1I am not proud of what i have put my children through and whatever circumstances took me to that terrible place in my life does not mean that i love my children any less than your mother loved you it only means that drug abuse is a powerful illness and not everyone has a perfect childhood as it sounds like you did.. and as i stated in my story i am no more deserving than the next person but my children may be very deserving because for them is the reason for entering this contest and my story is simply to show other mothers facing this terrible illness that there is a way to get well and live laugh and love but you have to do the work....I only hope you will NEVER know this illness in your own life or in Any of those you love..God Bless You
- Leviathan433, on 12/04/2008, -0/+1"Its not going to work, because there's not 15,000 suckers out there." Oh yes there are. How do you think we have gotten into our current economic predicament? Greed and suckers.
And if you are not getting a lot of draw on your gameserver, maybe you ought to take a good look at how you can improve your product and services instead of bitching about the "cheapskate" clients. - tdsmith208, on 11/23/2008, -0/+1I am not proud of the way i chose to live back then but like i said I am not going to make any excuses i was a single mom back then and i was the only one taking care of my kids eventhough i was deep in my addiction but never the less i never stopped loving my children meth addiction is a terribly powerful illness that makes people be things they would not normally be. And like I said in my story I do not believe I am any more deserving than any one else and I will spend the rest of my life living with all the truths of my past but my kids are deserving of this house and we are living laughing and loving for the last eight years so I am living proof that a young mother can get well and do all the right stuff if you are willing to do the work because that sicckness is no laughing matter and has become an epidemic in our society so I will prey that you NEVER know these effects on anyone you love or care about...thankyou for your concernes
- lazlotlomax, on 11/19/2008, -0/+1My name is Mike and I entered the contest not for me but for one of my Heroes "My Kid Brother". I am very blessed with a large home filled with Children and a beautiful wife, we are all well fed & healthy.
It is my Kid brother that deserves this house. Let me give you some background.
About 4 years ago he was registered as a full time student, in a nurshing program while living in Utah. He was engaged to his high school sweetheart and all was going well until his father (My Stepfather) of 20 years up and left my mom with a stack of unpaid bills and a mortgage 9 months in arrears. He cleaned out my mothers checking account maxed her cards and an unpaid IRS bill worth thousands of dollars.
He left her for another woman half his age. My mother was devastated and with the potential loss of he home and all her possessions My kid brother quit school full time to go to work full time to help my mom out with her bills. I did everything I could as well but the superstar here is my brother he quit school and went back to work full time and moved in with my mother in her new and smaller home
and helped her pay her bills and get her back up on her feet.
He did this for about a year until my moms finances were stabilized and I was able to pick up any slack with ease. Then he proposed to his High School sweetheart and about 6 months later they were married. Now with plans on moving forward with his life he re-enrolled in a nursing program. He got a job in Eugene Oregon and moved there earlier this year with plans on starting a family and buying a house His plans were going well until his new wife was diagnosed with a rare disease of the digestive tract that is incurable but treatable with a very expensive monthly medication. These costs are causing him to barely be able to afford their apartment and transportation. His monthly medical bills are his single largest expense each month and he takes it with a grin and a stride. And since she is unable to work It will be 10 years before he will ever be able to afford home ownership on the track they are on and he has given up on the dream completely for now.
He is an avid outdoors man and had to leave his dog with his family when he moved because the apartment he moved into didn't allow pets. Owning this home will give him the place for his wife to rest and relax in being in the country is it's own brand of therapy for her and it will allow them to have animals which they both love a ton. Since he was 18 he has been dealing with one tragedy after another as I have outlined above and he has never uttered a word of complain but rather gratitude to God for all that he has. It is my desire to enter him to this contest without his knowledge and give him the very best Christmas present of all. - jamesgormley, on 11/02/2008, -0/+1Citizens for Health deserves George Tran's house!
http://give-cfh-georges-house.blogspot.com/ - kathytarochione, on 11/04/2008, -0/+1Hope some deserving family gets the house.
- janjohnson41, on 11/25/2008, -0/+1I am privileged to "give back" in a recovery program every day of my life. It is called service work!!! Stories such as this are what make people "keep coming back"... The miracle. I applaud you, Tami, for your strength and your willingness to do the work. You are an amazing individual. I am privileged to be related to you but most importantly, to call you my friend. Much love and respect. I too am a recovering addict. I lost my home because I was foolish and made poor choices. Whether you are in recovery because of drugs or debt (like myself), an addict is an addict. We are all in recovery for something.
- PoukyBear, on 11/22/2008, -0/+1Hello and Good night! Your video moved me to tears!
Thank you for sharing your story. And how kind of you to provide the video for a good cause.
Wishing you and your family the best of luck - lazlotlomax, on 11/20/2008, -0/+1They need to click on the actual thumbs up. Many people are just diging the story and not the individual stories.
- FabianN, on 11/05/2008, -0/+1they arn't selling it for 300k. Read artical.
They need to collect 300k for the expenses, which they will do via the $50 entry fee.
They still owe $200k on the house plus the $1.6k/mo mortgage
The alternative would have been to have no entry fee and let the winner take care of the $200k thats left to pay.
This way is much easier on everyone.
Sure, most won't win and will lose $50. But that was also their choice to gamble with their money. Let them loose it if they want to. - dlight60, on 11/20/2008, -0/+1Hello, my name is Debbie and I would love to have this house. My story begins back in 2005. I was working at a decent job, in a good profession, with good pay & benefits in Florence Oregon. On July 4th my husband took me to the emergency room of our local hospital with severe abdominal pains, we both thought it was my appendix. After an ultra-sound it was discovered I had a uterine fibroid tumor that had burst and spread infection. I almost died. After a lot of anti-biotics, a full hysterectomy and having my appendix removed I was allowed to go home after a week in the hospital. I was weak but alive.
When I was finally released by my doctors to go back to work (6 weeks later) I stopped in to let my employer know I would be back to work in a few days only to be told I had been laid-off. It felt like I had been kicked when I was down. I had a lot of medical and hospital bills rolling in not to mention the normal monthly bills we all have. I had to close out my retirement, pay off what could be paid and sign up for unemployment. Anyone who says they will “kick back on unemployment for a while” has no clue what little money that really is. Plus we had to go on cobra for our medical insurance and pay the premium out of pocket, $500 a month. Naturally I had friends and family who said I should hire an attorney and sue my former employer, but I just don’t believe in that. Besides, why fight to work in a place you are not wanted or needed? I needed another plan.
Florence is a small town so there is not a lot of job opportunities beyond minimum wage. Most of the higher paying with benefit jobs are at Fred Meyer or Safeway as a checker. I had a choice to make. Do I at the age of 44 become a checker, or do I stay in the insurance industry and find a job out of town? I really like what I do, so working at Fred Meyer or Safeway was not an option. My husband and I decided that wherever I found my work we would move. Eventually I was hired by an insurance agency in downtown Eugene. This meant I have to drive 62 miles one way 5 days a week. I am still driving after 3 years.
At first we would look at homes and found they were over-priced and we were trying to keep within an affordable budget. In September of 2007 my husband began chemotherapy for a treatable form of Hepatitis C for 6 months. He worked for half of that time, but was finally unable to work at all. That really ate up any savings we had, so no more downpayment for a house, no moving for a while. He has gone back to work, but currently the construction industry is not very busy.
I drive over 15 bridges and thru 1 tunnel each way, 5 days a week to work and back home to Florence. If you have ever driven Hwy 126 from Eugene to Florence you know it is mostly a pretty bumpy road and windey. Last winters snow made it even more special. I need to move. I need a home closer to my work.
I am not trying to win this house for re-sale or a flip, I want a home to live in for a long time. I don’t think I am more deserving than anyone else who has submitted their essay, we are all deserving in my opinion. I am 48 years old and have never owned a home, and would really love to own this one. It’s part of the American dream. This home would improve my quality of life, I wouldn’t be so tired from the road trip every night, I would get home earlier, even be able to cook dinner during the week. Spend more time with friends and family, those things I just don’t have time or energy for now.
Thanks for reading this and considering my essay. - tot2trish, on 11/19/2008, -0/+1Best wishes to Toni & family -- I hope they find a house they can turn into a home for all!
Regards, Trish - Feeder66, on 11/22/2008, -0/+1I am a 42 year old man that has lived in the Northwest since 1975. I have used forearm crutches since childhood due to an undiagnosed neurological condition. When I was 20 years old, I lost most of the sight in both eyes due to an interruption of the blood supply to my optic nerves. Because I was unable to read anymore, I dropped out of college during my third year. I spent the following year being seen by medical experts to try to help but, unfortunately, nothing could be done. After a six month rehabilitation program, I eventually found work at a sheltered workshop for the visually impaired that paid slightly more than minimum wage. A few years later, I met the love of my life, Melissa. After a couple of years, we bought a condo and started a family. We have three healthy children. Two rambunctious sons ages nine and three, and a lovely five year old daughter. I got laid off from the job I had for 14 years and went back to school using speech software provided to me by the state and completed my Bachelor’s degree majoring in e-commerce. In 2006, we lost our home due to foreclosure and have been renting a house ever since. I now worry that the owners will want to move back into their house because their plans were to be out of the country until the end of this year and the lease agreement converted to a month to month rental at the end of July. We work hard to make ends meet, but I have not yet found work due to the poor economy. I have posted numerous resumes online and I am looking forward to finding a job, in which I will be able to thrive. Meanwhile I am in Graduate school where I can take online classes if needed. My wife works part time and goes to Nursing school full time. We are pursuing our education in order to prepare for future job opportunities so that we can better provide for our family’s future and pay back student loans. If we are fortunate enough to win this house, my wife could transfer to a school located near Eugene to complete Nursing school. We would like to regain our dream of owning a home. This home is a good fit for us for many reasons:
• Three bedrooms is needed so our daughter can have a separate room than the boys
• A large yard and trees will provide the space for family activities, and a dog our children have always wanted
• The space/room to add on in the future to accommodate for my special needs
Bless you for taking the time to read my story. With your help to spread the word of this chance that I have, my family might be able to have a place to call home for many years to come. Please vote for me and my family.
Thank you,
Travis, Sr and family.
- silverwolf70, on 11/15/2008, -0/+1God Bless you Kelly Jo. That is a truly inspiring story.
I agree with you about eating right and preventative health...that's why I am a supporter of Citizens for Health. They advocate all these things to be taught in mainstream. Doctors are not always rights....there are often more healthy alternatives than pills....such as eating the right things (or not eating the wrong thing in your case).
I strongly recommend that you make a YouTube video and link it back to your story. Your story is inspirational and more people will see it if you make a video.
Good luck!
George - siszam, on 12/02/2008, -0/+1Why would you change the contest after it has begun? You said you would count the diggs. It's easy. Click the digg number and count positive diggs. If you change the rules then those who got votes but no comments won't get a fair shake. This is digg. We dig things up and down depending on who we think is deserving. So many ups and downs will come from people who aren't entered in the contest. Sorry but it's a poor venue for such an important give away. Change things mid-contest and you might as well scrap the whole thing.
- siszam, on 12/02/2008, -0/+1If you click on the number of diggs it will show you how many voted thumbs up and how many voted thumbs down. Several thumbs down would explain low diggs or negative numbers.
- iridoligst1, on 11/22/2008, -0/+1 We can make this house our home
Hello, we’re a Christian values family and not destitute or homeless yet still in need.
I won’t drag out a long story. Just a couple of hard working blue collar Oregonians with 2 kids who would like to own a home but cant afford to buy one.
We like living in the Willamette valley and this would be a great opportunity for us to get into a home we would really appreciate.
We’re not desperate and certainly there are others who might be more deserving. Just the same we would still like your vote.
Thank you from a grateful family.
Chris and Sabrina
Iridoligst1@aol.com - Susanh39, on 12/03/2008, -0/+1The Rakestraw family would truly be blessed by this home and acreage! What better legacy could this place have than a family of eight children, a garden bursting with veggies, children playing in the yard, and parents who put their heart and soul into their family and others? Please, consider this incredible family as the new owners of your beautiful home!
- CaraMumOf5, on 11/15/2008, -0/+1what a fantastic idea, i am in the uk and with the state of the economy just now this is a very generous offer from you, hope someone who deserves it gets this preoperty as it truely is a wonderful thing well done you XX
- CindyPDX, on 11/22/2008, -0/+1What an AWESOME and hope filled idea Mr Tran!
I entered this contest even though we really can't afford it but you can't win it if you are not in it. Right?
And even if there is not enough entries for this contest, the money will go towards a charity, and one of the charities I really care about called: Citizens for Health.
I am also not a gambling woman mostly because I just don't win anything. My personal silly motto is "If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!" LOL
Anyway, here's our story :
My husband and I had twin boys, born 4 weeks early on July 31 2003. Our twins, Andrew & Cameron, grew up healthy, thriving, learning and meeting all the early developmental milestones together. But then around 34 months old, Cameron started changing. Odd behavior started to occur that gradually became more frequent.
My husband and I argued for almost a year over the things Cameron was doing and no longer doing. He thought I was over reacting and telling me Cameron was just fine. But I knew something wasn't right and what ever it was, was getting worse.
Finally, shortly after the twins turned 4 years old in August 2007, our Pediatrician told us that "Cameron has characteristics of Autism" As she left the room to fetch the twins their 4 year old vaccines, we sat alone confused and numb in the room while holding the twins not able to utter a word. On our car ride home that day I didn't say "I told you so.." because when I turned to look at my husband, he had tears streaming down his face. He then turned and looked at me pleading and saying "We can fix this! We'll figure out a way!" I bit my tongue to keep from screaming and crying. Our world began to spiral into the unknown world of Autism.
It's been over a year now since our son's diagnosis, and my husband now realizes, not only can we NOT "FIX" this but that there is no cure. We also can't afford the private therapy for our son. We found out the hard way that insurance companies discriminate those diagnosed with Autism. Instead of offering speech and physical therapy, they only offer drugs such as Ritalin as a solution for our son. The public educational school system runs on a shoe string budget and can only provide so much help but beggars like us can't be choosers. For what we've been through so far this past year, is also one reason why we voted for Obama because under McCain's health plan our family would have been doomed.
We may never be able to find a cure for Autism and bring our son Cameron back in our lifetime, but living in a beautiful home like this, and in the area that it is located, would make life so much better for him and his twin brother Andrew who is still trying to understand why Cameron no longer plays with him.
See a short music video I created on how we learned about Autism.
I made this for my husband, for my family, and for Autism Speaks Charity:
http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/vie ...
Like the other heart breaking stories shared here, we too are hanging in there just like every one else.
Thank you for reading and Happy Holidays to all.
Cindy, Chris & the Twins: Andrew & Cameron. - siszam, on 12/02/2008, -0/+1If you want God to hear your prayer you should change your thoughts and words. Christ told us to care for each other and to love the needy. You've done nothing but spread hate in every comment you've made. You must be a very sad, angry person. Your bitterness and greed are not the fruits of a person who has a relationship with Christ.
- inactive, on 11/18/2008, -0/+1As I’m sitting here trying to think of what to say and why our family deserves something so special. I know this would be a new beginning for our family and would start the year of 2009 off with a bang.
My husband and I have been through a lot since we have been married. This year on December 6th we will be married for 11 years. We have 3 wonderful girls ages 12 (she will be 13 on December 7th) then age 9, and 7.
Right now we live in a mobile home. It is a 2 bed/2 bath. It is approximately 900 square feet. The mobile home has been sitting in my husband’s moms and dads back yard for many, many years. This way my husband’s father could take care of his mom and dad.
When we first got married in 1997 we were not capable of purchasing our own place. We lived with my husband’s parents. Months down the road my husband’s grandparents wanted to help us. They offered the mobile home to us at a very minimal price. We purchased it from my husband’s grandma and grandpa. They wanted to bless us, being newly married and wanting to start our own family. So they moved out and into a retirement home park.
What a blessing, and yes we where thankful, very thankful to have this opportunity. We could begin our family.
So we did just that. It wasn’t too crammed with one child, but two and then three. It was getting really cramped. We did what we could. I had days when I wish we could move and get into a bigger home. There where days I got depressed. I felt as if I was in a box and couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The three girls are in one room together. The oldest hates it so much. She doesn’t have a place to go away. When she needs her down time or even to have quite time she has not place to go. Not, only that she is getting older. She is embarrassed to have friends over, because then her friends have to sleep in her bed, with her sisters in the room and they can’t talk privately or do older girl things that they would want to do. Her sisters are always up in her business (she says).
I did what I could to tell myself that this was temporary and we had to make it work. Basically it was like living in an apartment, but in my husband’s parent’s back yard. I knew I had to make it work. We lived there for about 7 years.
After our 7th year of living in the mobile home grandpa fell ill and passed away. Grandma wasn’t doing well being on her own, not only that she was also diagnosed with cancer in her shoulder. When one spouse dies, and you have been together for over 50 years it is very hard.
We knew what we had to do. The only choice was for us to move out and let grandma move back into the mobile home into the place she once lived. In this she called home. This way she would be next to her son and they could help her in what ever she needed. We began looking for a place to move our family.
We weighed every option before making a purchase on our first home for our family. The biggest concern was, are we financially ready for this? Are we sure that we can do this? We put our faith in prayer and took that leap.
We found a fabulous home that we could afford. It was nice to have a 3 bedroom home with 2 baths, at almost 1600 square feet. It had a large front and backyard. Our oldest child loved and enjoyed having her own room. The two younger girls loved having there room to share. They had room to play for once. They had there own comfort zone finally. We where finally enjoying our family time together. It was nice to have coworkers and new neighbors over for a barbeque or a dinner. The memory that I loved, was our very first thanksgiving around our huge table. Grandma was doing well she was happy to be back in her place at the mobile home.
We stayed in our home just shy of 2 years. At certain times, yes we where trying to make our house payment and make ends meet so we could keep our home. We knew why we moved and why we bought the house. It wasn’t because we had to, it was because we needed to do it for someone that we loved and cared for very much. There where certain times and days that grandma didn’t do very well. We knew she needed to be where she was for a reason.
Finally after about a year into our home, grandma passed away. It was very hard on all of us. Grandpa passed a year before and now grandma. Now the mobile home sat empty in the back yard. Something had to be done with it. But what?
A few months after grandma passed, we found out that the mobile home had to be moved off the property unless someone was going to stay in it. It was going to cost over $11,000 to have it removed and my husband’s parents didn’t have that kind of money at the time. The real estate market was doing okay at that time. We had no choice but to move back into the mobile home in order to help his parents. If there was anything at all that would help them we would figure out way.
It came down to putting our house up for sale and trying to move back into the mobile home. There where good things that could come about. We could save money pay off some bills our rent wouldn’t be as high as our current mortgage payment. There where a lot of cons that fell into that as well.
So the house went up on the market and it sold a few months later. We asked a reasonable price for the home so it would go quickly. So it sold and we moved back into the back yard back into the mobile home. I was doing okay myself for a while after we moved back. The girls where not very happy because they where back into one room again and we where cramped. I know we did it for a good reason, and I have to remind myself of that.
We needed to get back on track. My husband has driven semi truck for many years. So we decided that we would try to make a little extra money and go on our own. We purchased a semi truck with a leap of faith, and went on. We had no employees. My husband was the only driver trying to make it work for our family. We did good for about and year. My husband’s favorite show was Trick My Truck on CNN. They did these semi trucks with paints jobs that where unbelievable they even restored them. You could write your own story, and try to get onto the show for them to trick your truck. Our family got together and wrote a story to them. Our truck was in bad shape, and we didn’t know how much longer it was going to keep my husband driving. There where things that where wrong with it mechanically, and everything else. Every bit of income we got from our business was being dumped into this truck. We never gained any extra income. So we sent in our story and we got a casting call with in a month after they got our letter. Wow! It was a miracle that even happened. My husband had to drive his 1986 freightliner cab over to Joplin Missouri. This was about 1100 miles away from home. We didn’t know if the truck was even going to make it. We where in the middle of our winter months. The casting call was in 3 days. So we had to make that decision and ask ourselves, “could this be for us?” A one in a life time chance or maybe a change for us? So off my husband and his father went. It was a very long trip, it was very cold. They had to wear double gloves with socks on there hands because the truck heater wouldn’t get hot enough due to the cold.
There where over 6000 entries which they called 500 castings. Out of those 500 castings they accepted 200 interviews. Out of those 200 interviews there was only to be 15 picked for the actual show. It was an awesome experience. We were disappointed because we knew that we needed help or we where going to loose our truck. Overall the total miles where 2500. The casting interview had to see the semi truck in person. We didn’t know what we where getting into, but I’m thankful they made it home in once piece. The truck was on its last leg after that. Even though we didn’t make it we held our head high, and we knew we had to keep going. We had kids to take care of. Several months later we had to call it quits. We where paying more out in fixing the truck than anything else. So we had to let our business go.
It has been almost 3 years for us since we moved back a second time into the mobile home. I see other houses online or in homes magazine and I wish I could have one of those for our family. I always catch myself saying what if we could have this one or that one. The girls would love this house, or that house. I can’t stop dreaming of having my own home again. I’m being truthful, why did this have to happen to us? Why do we always have to come out with the bad, why do we always sacrifice something in our lives for something else? Every time we are ahead something kicks us back down, but we pick ourselves us again and go for more. That is what anyone should do.
Since 1995 I myself had had so many things happen to me. I got really ill and have had about 25 surgeries since 1995 after our first child was born. After having our third child things drastically changed for me. I had to have a hysterectomy and give up having another child that we really wanted. It was very heart crushing and hard to deal with. I knew my health was important to my family and I made that decision. I dream of adopting another child. I would love to add a fourth child to our family. The girls really want a brother added to the mix of our crazy lives. I can’t make this dream come true until I know we will have security in having a home that will provide all of our needs and hold our big family. It would be a blessing to get a home that will take care of us, and to give another child a chance and change of life with a lot of love.
There are things that I just don’t understand in life. I wish there was a fix to every situation or problem. How would that teach us anything if we did have an answer to everything?
I would like to restart my family again in our own home. I would love to have my own space again. Plant my own flowers, mow my own yard and have my own garden. I want my girls to live in a house for years and years with out having to worry about moving again. A place to say that is where my mom and dad raised me, this was our home.
I know down deep in the bottom of my heart that we will never be financially able to better our current situation without the help of someone. I can possibly say we will live here for pretty much the rest of our lives unless someone’s generosity intervenes. It is very embarrassing to tell anyone where we live. Oh by the way I live in my parent’s backyard, would you like to come over? It is silly, and it is hard for our kids to have friends that don’t make comments on where we live. Or they bock about it later and tell there friends and it seems to get back to my kids about out current living situation.
As I said earlier we have always did what we could to help someone else. If was for food, money for gas or anything that we could do or spare and there where times that we couldn’t but we did it anyway.
It would be a life changing experience if we saw it coming back to us from a different view.
We are ready for this, way beyond ready. We have made sacrifices in our lives to help others and I see how George it trying to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Our family is more than ready to move on. We want a place to call our own! My birthday is on December 23rd and it would be a wonderful blessing it would unforgettable. Not only that an answer to prayer something that we have been longing for. This would be GREAT birthday present and Christmas present, not just for me, but for my family and maybe that addition to our family that we would love to make.
Graciously
The Booher Family - jksmommy, on 11/30/2008, -0/+1Pay no attention to the people who want to bring others down for trying to better themselves ~ I hear it alla time!
- jisaacfamily, on 11/16/2008, -0/+1Hi, my family and I currently live in Southern California (please don't hold that against us), we are really wanting to move back to Oregon and raise our youngest daughter in the clean, fresh air, where she can run and play outside and be safe. We love to BBQ and have friends and family over. We want to be the house that everyone knows they can stop by. We love to decorate and help out the neighborhood. We never really wanted to make California our permanent home. Before my father in law passed away he would always tell Kaeleah he would buy her a horse so she could ride whenever she wanted. This property is beautiful and would allow that promise to come true. My mom and step dad still live in Springfield and it would allow me time to help them out also. My mom volunteers at her church and helps everyone she can, that is one of the reasons she is my Best friend! When I visit her, we always visit long time friends that need a visit or food brought in to them and that's what we do. Friends and people we have never met are all friends to my mom. Please allow us the opportunity to reach out to others and help them during their struggles.
And "Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Clause:! - MamaRabbit, on 11/19/2008, -0/+1This family really needs a bigger home and a big break right now. Toni works soooo hard to help provide for her family and gives so much back to her community.
- tdsmith208, on 11/16/2008, -0/+1I am entering the free house giveaway.
tdsmith208@gmail.com
Hello,my name is Tami and I am 42 years old, I am married to a wonderful man and together we have 4 wonderful boys 13,16,22,&23. I don't know that our family is any more deserving than all of those writing their stories. But I do know my family is deserving. And this is our story...
10 years ago I struggled as a single mom with a longtime addiction to meth and raising two very small boys that loved me so unconditionally. I loved them but I was wearing blinders called addiction...
I struggled to pay rent and buy food and functioned barely. One day I remember sitting on the floor watching my boys color, they were 2,&6 then .I can remember watching them and suddenly it hit me like a truck I didn't even know my own children's favorite color. How could a mother live everyday with her own children and not know their favorite color. It was also at that moment I made a choice that would change our lives forever...
I Stopped Using..And started living...
I have spent every day since knowing everything about my children (although they may not like that as teenagers) But I love it.And I have also spent everyday cleaning up the wreckage of my past and finally I have no more bad debt,I can answer the phone and know it won't be a bill collector...but most importantly I have given my kids their mom back.. So here we are 8 years clean come January with a husband and two more boys that love me.We all support each other especially now that our one son is headed off to war. Our family has stuck together through thick and thin and are blessed to have each other.There is only one thing our family has never known and that is having a home of our own... So you see that is why I spent the $19.95 to tell my story. And wether or not we are the chosen family we will continue to pay it forward...God Bless.and thanks for listening . Tami
P.S.click the thumbs up button to vote - pop08, on 11/16/2008, -0/+1I believe that with drugs being such an epidemic in our society you are a person of streangth to be able to overcome such a task ...good luck to you and your family...
- ShirleyAnne, on 11/17/2008, -0/+1This home and setting are lovely and peaceful. Thank you for offering it to the public at such a nominal cost. I hope this works out well for you because I think you care about the home and have an honorable and generous soul.
At 60 years of age I find myself facing a retirement I cannot afford, dealing with a genetic health condition I can’t change, and desiring a peaceful place to spend my last years where I can still afford to buy food and necessities. If the home became mine I would promise, upon my death or inability to manage my affairs, to donate it to a worthy cause to “pay it forward” and maintain the legacy. - zitahna, on 11/18/2008, -0/+1My name is Emily Stubblefield and I have entered to become a contestant for a Free House Giveaway at freehouse.wordpress.com. My email address is emilydawn_@hotmail.com.
When I first heard about this on KEZI news I was really excited because my husband and I have gone through a lot. I was convinced that I could tell our story and we could generate enough votes to win this house. But we had to wait until payday to be able to afford the $19.95 entry fee. While we waited, I continued to read others' entry stories and I realized that we may be in medical debt up to our ears and be many years away from being able to buy our own home, but we do not deserve this house more than anyone else. The first nine applicants deserve this house so much more than we do that I cannot with a clear conscience claim that we should win this competition. I also know that in order for the person who is most deserving of this house to be able to win it, 15,000 people must pay the entry fee and enter the competition. So I am not asking for the house, or the money. I just want to help that one family who needs this house the most get it. The only way I know how to do that is to be one more entry closer to that 15,000 people goal and to ask everyone I know to also pay the fee and vote. I hope that if you are reading this and you do not need the house, but you can afford to donate $19.95 to a wonderful cause, you will also help a family desperately in need of a miracle. - inactive, on 11/29/2008, -0/+1I'm hulahoohonu,
I don't understand why someone would put a comment like that. First of all I have a very good job. I have been working steady, even after having many surgeries. There is nothing wrong with having another child. First of all it would be giving a child in this area a home. It isn't about what I have lost. It is about giving a life to someone else that has a dream.
My husband has always driven a truck, what is wrong with starting your own business? There is nothing wrong with that at all. It is taking leap of faith and we felt that we could make it happen for our family. It went really well until the things started slowing down and some other family issues. ( that isn't any of your concern) I don't know how you could judge us like that when you don't know our family, or any of these familes that are posting on this site.
Trick My Truck was something that could have happened for us and was an experience that my husband will never forget. It is something that was a chance! A chance that we took. Yes it was a bummer, but we moved on. As I have said you don't know us, because you said that you and your husband would have passed it up to look for work, you can't say that until you get that one and a life time chance. My husband was working during this time he got asked to join them. I was working to.
There are so many things that we have let go to help others. We have always been that way. If you knew me, you would understand that I would drop anything for you if you needed it. Even if I didn't have the $20. I would try to help you get it, even if i had to turn in every bottle and can to get it!
If only you knew-
At this time, my husband has been laid off work for 2 weeks, we will be making a lot of sacrafices for the next several weeks and feeling the punch. We will deal with it and pray about it and god will guide us along the way and it will happen. - yellowtbird1, on 11/29/2008, -0/+1I don't know why anyone would say that about a family. So I guess that destroying there hopes of possibly having another child, well in this case providing a home for another child that needs it? There is nothing wrong with that. Seems like they take chances, unlike some other families out there that are asking for a hand out. Seems if they have tried and took there chances and it wasn't working for them. We need to take chances, if you don't what could happen? You could WIN OR LOOSE
- mybabyjulius, on 11/16/2008, -0/+1Hey Dale, I really hope that you win this house for you and your kids. You really deserve it!!!!!
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