Family in crisis appeals to fellow Kiwis for help

During the first lockdown my family's life changed forever. My sister was taken to hospital with a suspected stomach bug, then within a week was diagnosed with terminal cancer that had spread throughout her body. She was in hospital for several weeks. When she was discharged and being cared for by our parents, my father had to drive the 150 km round trip 5 days straight to take my sister to chemo and radiation treatment.

My parents downsized their home but unfortunately still ended up with a mortgage.

I was meant to build my own home on their new property but had to lend my parents money to keep them afloat while they tried to sell their old home. They were unable to pay me back in full, and so I’ve lived in a semi converted garage for the past 3 years. Due to severe long term medical conditions, I was made medically redundant from my job 5 years ago and I am unlikely to ever be hired again, so I am unable to help my family.

My father at 72 had 2 jobs, one of which due to COVID19 he had to reapply but was not rehired due to his limited ability to work certain days. His other job has had very little work for him. Due to his age getting another job is nearly impossible. Without his other job we are at risk of losing our home, and with the added costs around my sister’s treatment and care we are fast approaching dire straits.

My sister was admitted to hospital a few months ago when she started losing the ability to walk and never got to come home. She has been transferred to a private hospital closer to family as she can not walk at all and my parents even with home help couldn't care for my sister at home.

My sister doesn't have long to live but we are doing everything we can to keep her comfortable and spirits up as best we can.

With the expected costs to come and numerous debts my sister has we are on borrowed time.

Without a miracle we will all lose our home. And although living in a garage is not desirable its a roof over mine and my dogs head.

My father spends every spare waking hour he has trying to make money but it is driving him into the ground.

During a time where we should only be concerning ourselves with my sister, our financial worries are always in the back of our minds.

I am appealing to the amazing kindness of New Zealanders to help us manage the coming months and anything people can give would be very highly appreciated.

I am asking on behalf of my family and myself as they hate the idea of asking for help. But I am terrified this additional financial stress will be what breaks my father who has already suffered a heart attack due to stress. We are already dealing with the grief of losing my sister soon, and the extra weight of worrying about whether we can pay all the upcoming expenses and the mortgage, let alone be able to do work on the garage to make it habitable is starting to overwhelm us.

Update to Story: Samantha sadly passed away on the 4th of November at the young age of 42. She was at Warkworth Hospital till the end where she was looked after extremely well. Samantha spent the last 4 months in hospital after she lost her ability to walk.

She was a beautiful, strong soul who never said "why me", she never complained even when she was screaming in pain. She handled the most devastating illness with such dignity and grace. She will forever be in our hearts and minds.

Our immediate concern is meeting the very high funeral expenses, when mourning should be the only thing we are doing we are distracted by the financial burden of saying goodbye to Samantha.

Photo is of my sister Samantha in better times.

Update as at 17/2/2021

Loosing Samantha has been the hardest thing we've ever dealt with. Her service was beautiful and the most perfect way to send her off to hopefully somewhere better. Her loss has been crippling. I am grateful for all the support we have had especially from her friends.

My families financial situation has declined further since my sisters passing covering her debts etc.

We desperately don't want to ask for people's help but due to COVID19 and my sisters loss both myself and my father have struggled to earn any income. With my severe medical conditions work is near impossible, but I have been trying to get work as having a roof over my head is more important than my health currently.

Due to trying to have enough to keep our house I haven't been able to get heat pump installed which is essential when living in a garage as its like a sauna every day. There is further work needed to make garage insulated as currently still has original garage door that is not sealed or insulated, it has gaps in it that let's breeze in.

My family is desperately asking people for any assistance they can give to help us be able to get essential work done to make my living conditions slightly healthier and keep a roof over our heads.

If we loss our current accommodation we would be in jo position to afford somewhere else and would potentially end up homeless. I am trying everything I can to help my parents as they are well into there 70's and my father shouldn't be working full-time. He spends many hours a day trying to get work and earn money anyway he can it is having an effect in his physical and mental health which is devastating for me to watch. As his only daughter now I feel its my responsibility to try and help them.

Any help people can give would be greatly appreciated.