Rachel Henderson suffers from Huntington's, a degenerative brain disease with no cure. She needs help to buy food that she can safely eat.
Canterbury
Who are we?
We are the Hendersons, and we are a family of 4. Mike, Rachel, and our two kids ages 8 and 5. My wife Rachel suffers from Huntington's Disease which causes a progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, which results in an increasing loss of co-ordination over time. There is currently no cure.
Rachel’s condition recently deteriorated to the point where she has become increasingly dependent on others just to perform the basic activities of daily living. Chewing and swallowing have become very difficult and Rachel can no longer feed herself unless she is eating “melt in the mouth finger food”.
What are our needs?
Accommodation is a big worry. We had to leave our wheelchair accessible rental because the landlord wanted to sell it. We are currently flatting with Rachel’s father in a house which is not suitable for Rachel’s requirements - or the children’s. We are at the top of the housing waiting list but have been told that there is little hope of finding us something suitable in the current Christchurch housing market.
Finances are also a problem. As a full-time carer for my wife and children, I am unable to work.
Our main challenge is meeting the costs of buying food that is suitable and safe for Rachel to eat.
I have my own health issues (Crohns Colitis) which mean that I also require very specific foods to eat.
How will your gift be used?
Your donations will be paid into the Hillview School Benevolent Fund, to make donations eligible for a tax credit. The Benevolent Fund will then buy weekly supermarket food vouchers. This will allow the Hendersons to buy food that is suitable for Rachel and the children and will help ease a little of the pressure of living with a degenerative terminal illness.
(The Hendersons two children attend Hillview Christian School, and the school has offered to run donations through the Hillview School Benevolent Fund, to make them eligible for a tax credit.)
Tax Rebates
Funds raised will be paid into the verified bank account of the Hillview School Benevolent Fund. This will make donations eligible for a tax credit. And it will allow you to claim 33% of your donation back from the IRD at the end of the year.
We would ask that you take this into consideration when calculating your donation amount and increase your gift by 50% with the knowledge you can claim the extra back from the IRD.
(Donation tax receipts will be issued by the Spark Foundation (give-a-little) on behalf of the Hillview Benevolent Fund).
How can you support other sufferers of HD?
You can check out the give a little pages of these charities involved with HD (https://givealittle.co.nz/search?q=huntingtons - copy link into search bar).
My children attend the same school as the Henderson's, and as part of a group of concerned parents we have set up this give a little page to help the Henderson's meet the costs of living with Huntington's Disease.
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
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