2009 Recipients
Denise Haltom and Chris Singleton
All proceeds from TDK events will go to assist these individuals with medical expenses
Chris Singleton 1 of TourdeKale,s Recipients
Did you ever think that hard work and paying your way would work against you? That seems to be what has happened to my brother. Although having juvenile diabetes Chris has worked since he was 15years old and many of those years he worked 2 jobs. Until Oct 07 he worked in maintentance and traveled and worked 16 hour days 7 days a week. He begin having trouble with his eyes and in October of 07 he was to have surgery to help prevent losing much of his sight he was to be out of work a week, he has never been able to return to work. That 1 surgery has lead to numerous surgeries and now he has been labeled legally blind. Chris had short term disablity with his job but they did not offer long term, so once that benefit ran out he was faced with no job, no income and no insurance and mounting dr. bills and many monthly prescriptions to fill. With Dr.'s encouragement we filed for permanent disablity for Chris. In the meantime we approached many avenues for him to get help, he sold his vehicle to help pay bills and I was fortunate enough to be able to help him for the year he was without income. I had contacted our congressman and he was working on Chris's disability case and we just prayed. On September of 08 I received a phone call from congressman Cobles secretary,Chris had been approved for permanent disability.In only 9 months and no court hearing, this is unheard of.Tell me prayer doesn't work. I was also told he would be receiving a medicaid card.Wow prescriptions filled for a mere 3 dollars. As told he received his card and his monthly check.
A simple letter has now changed everything. His disabilty check is based on how much Chris paid in and because he had worked like he did and earned what he earned he now draws to much money to be eligable for medicaid and can not be considered for medicare for 2 years. this is how he views that working hard for so many years is now hurting him. Chris draws a check of 1,100 a month but just his prescriptions and supplies for his insulin pump costs 2,457 a month,this is not including his 2-4 Dr. visits a week or the surgeries he has to have which have averaged 1 a month nor does this count for the many vitamins supplements and supplies he has to have for the complications that have emerged from the diabetes.
Chris has always been a good person but in March of 08 he comitted his life to God and has reached out to help so many people less fortunate than he is. God shut the bad doors that was in his life and has opened many new doors for him. And we know that God will bring a solution to this finacial hurdle in his life.
His sister ,Faith Martin
.
Denise Haltom 1 of TourdeKale 2009 Recipients
Denise Haltom was diagnosed with colon cancer last year and had most of her intestinal track removed over the Christmas holiday. She is now unable to work. She is on 17 different prescriptions, some of which insurance will not pay. She is taking chemotherapy treatments every other week until July and iron treatments every week. Much of her time is spent at the hospital and her medical bills are mounting quickly, placing a huge financial strain on her family. Despite the stress Denise remains optimistic.
Denise faces her disease head on with admirable courage and conviction. Wife to George Haltom and mother of Mark and Brittany, she is an inspiration to those around her and a well-deserved recipient of Tour de Kale’s assistance.