Meet Rita from El Paso, TX

Rita Haggard is 92 years young and lives independently in her home in El Paso, Texas. She has been largely housebound since breaking her hip at the beginning of COVID after a fall. As she gets older and less mobile, it has become increasingly difficult to find services for her. She orders groceries from Instacart, and her medical services are provided in her home. She only leaves for dentist, optometrist, or emergency room visits, which often leave her feeling exhausted. The one service she is badly in need of is having her toenails cut. A previous mobile service provided care twice but stopped responding to appointment requests. She is very talkative and appears frail, which may have contributed to their hesitation in continuing services. While appointments at a salon have been offered, she finds leaving the house overwhelming and tiring. Access to in-home haircuts and pedicures would greatly improve her well-being and comfort.

Meet Mary from Concord, NC

I humbly ask for your help. I was diagnosed with Waldenstrom’s in July 2024, which affected 90% of my bone marrow. This diagnosis was completely life-altering. One day I was fine, and the next day I was on my deathbed. I am not able to leave my home except for infusion sessions when needed. This condition has significantly impacted my life, and now that I’m on a fixed income, it’s challenging to manage additional expenses. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Meet Perlie from Nashville, TN

My mother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer in 2019, CHF in 2022, and now has a pacemaker and defibrillator. She is a fighter and now in remission but takes an oral chemo medication daily for the rest of her life, which costs a fortune. My mother has been in and out of rehab and is now back in her own home trying to regain her strength. However, she can’t go out and do the things she used to, such as pampering herself, due to her current state, which bothers her emotionally. She is on a fixed income, and I want her to feel as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.

Meet Patrick from Oak Forest, IL

I recently went through cancer treatment, including 4 rounds of chemotherapy and 16 rounds of radiation. Along with that, I have GERD and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease several years ago. Due to significant weight loss, I’ve had a feeding tube since June. I’m unable to eat much regular food because my muscles have deteriorated, making it difficult to swallow. My feet are in pain, and I’m hoping this will provide the boost I truly need.

Meet Frank from Santee, CA

The best thing I ever did was have back surgery about 3-4 years ago. I was in constant pain, dealing with back pain and sciatica. The US Department of Veterans Affairs tried several treatment plans, including acupuncture, but nothing provided long-term relief. An X-ray revealed that surgery was necessary. At the time, the VA didn’t have a surgeon available, so I was referred to UCSD. There, I learned about Good BLT and Bad BLT. Good BLT is the sandwich; Bad BLT stands for bending, lifting, and twisting—none of which I was allowed to do during my recovery. It has been a few years now, and I can lift a little more and bend a bit, but not enough to reach my toes!

Meet Elizabeth from Albuquerque, NM

My name is Elizabeth Doede, and I reside in Albuquerque, NM. I am 64 years old and live in a long-term care facility. I have severe rheumatoid arthritis throughout my entire body, along with other chronic conditions. The arthritis has severely impacted my mobility and independence. My right shoulder is totally damaged with very limited movement, and the same is now happening in my left shoulder. I cannot hold my arms up for more than a short period, and simple tasks like brushing my hair leave me completely exhausted. The facility where I live does provide bathing services, but they are unable to provide haircuts because they cannot find a stylist, even though there is a salon on-site. My last haircut was in June 2023. I receive SSI, with most of it going toward the facility’s services, leaving very little for other needs. I also experience skin breakdown and ulcers, which I’ve had since February 2024. To help with healing, I receive protein supplements twice daily, but they cause my hair, fingernails, and toenails to grow quickly, making it hard to manage without assistance. Despite these challenges, I believe in doing as much as I can for myself for as long as possible. A haircut would mean so much—it would help me feel more confident and improve my self-esteem. If I could brush or wash my hair with minimal assistance, it would be a significant step toward feeling more independent again. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and am hopeful that I qualify. Thank you for considering my application.