Medical Costs Put Money Crunch On Colony Family

By Arezow Doost, CBS 11 News

December 21, 2010 10:09 PM

Tabitha Marchbank with her mother Janet Stewart. (Courtesy: Stewart family)

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THE COLONY (CBSDFW.COM) - The Stewart family may be home for the holidays, but they could lose everything come January.

Sam Stewart, 16, wants her mother Janet to have a good Christmas. Janet has an artery disease, and medical bills have prompted Sam to get a job to cover payments.

“I knew it was going to be a tough Christmas, so I thought with everything decorated it would cheer her up,” Sam said.

Almost a year ago, Janet had to have her right leg amputated as a result of her disease. And because it didn’t heal properly, she now has to have another surgery right after Christmas.

Medical bills, unsurprisingly, continue climbing. As such, Sam picked up the biggest load.

“I had to grow up and I have to pay for everything and pay for everything for myself,” she said. “I have to worry and pay bills on time and figure out what needs to be paid today, or what’s past due.”

Sam’s sister Tabitha has also helped financially. But she’s also supporting a family of her own.

Since their mother lost her leg, she hasn’t been able to work. Sam is now juggling home school and a job. Her plan is to graduate early, and – along with her sister – try to catch up with all the bills.

“I just want my mom to be happy,” she said.

Just a few weeks ago, the family was told they could lose their home in The Colony. They are so far behind on the bills that they are – literally – praying for a miracle.

As such, if they could have one thing for their mother this Christmas, it would be a prosthetic leg.

“I think that would be beautiful to see her stand up and take steps again,” Tabitha said.

As the family tries to enjoy this holiday, they pray it isn’t their last one at their home.

Medical Costs Put Money Crunch On Colony Family

Malana

How can I help? Nothing on the news listed where viewers can send assistance…..
OK Carson

I was just wondering what the minimum amount the mortgage will accept to keep their house out of foreclosure? It’s almost Christmas, hopefully they can come up with something reasonable. I mean how would it make that company look if they threw a handicapped mother and her children out of their home?
Melba

i would like to help you if I can. What size jeans do you wear and maybe I can help them too.
OK Carson

How can I help? I’d like to know if there is something I can do.
Susan Stubblefield

I wear a size 22. I have come down 2 pant sizes recently and I can’t afford much. I am not asking for a handout here, I just want to know why people that come upon sudden hardship get all the attention, while people like my family get none, when we have been struggling for a full year and NO ONE is there to do a news story on us(of course I do not mean my family in particular, I just think there should be more viable ways for people in my predicament to get off welfare and such than getting further into welfare. ex. I have to get child care assistance before I can get a job so I can help pay bills, yet once I have a job, I won’t get assistance because we will make too much, and my job will only pay for her daycare. It’s a catch 22.
I don’t want a hand out. I want a Full time job, reliable daycare that I can afford (for which I would need start up costs,) and to not have $10K in student loans looming over my head when I start teaching after I graduate.

d tibbs

Susan, I have some clothes that might fit. I have given a lot of them away, but i still have lots of them in all sizes from 12 to 26/28.
I know this article is not about us, but you know, when you think you have it bad, someone else has it worse.. i didn’t even put up my tree or any decorations, because our mortgage company lied to me, and told me that the foreclosure was on hold. but apparently the mortgage company forgot to tell the attorney’s, and they sold it the next day,. they were supposed to rescind the sale, because we were in the middle of a workout, but now everyone says there’s nothing they can do, and they are saying they are starting the eviction process. they need to also bring the police and a warrant for my arrest because i’m not going anywhere willingly, the mortgage company even admitted that they made a mistake but they won’t do anything. They won’t even give me the names of the people who said “there’s nothing we can do.” By the way, the mortgage company, JP Morgan Chase— sound familiar? yep, they were one of the or the first banks looking for a bailout, and received billions.we had a conventional loan, and had to put down at least 20 % down, and have lived here for 13 years,… but it could be worse, and might be, i suppose, when we are homeless, with no family to go to… plus, I telecommute and will most likely lose my job. so the circle begins again… with or without me. i can’t take much more of this.
SHW

Susan,
Wow. I do understand that you feel the way you do, however, one’s struggles are relative — just as “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”.
I, too, have been struggling — for THREE years. This is my family and they help me daily to be thankful. The struggles that you see here affecting the Stewart family are current; it doesn’t include lifelong struggles that Janet has endured.
She is only thankful to be alive and have her precious daughters.
We all struggle w the cost of child care.
In defense of sweet Jan and family, you shouldn’t have commented unless you had a kind word, something encouraging or something productive to say.
Do you know a 16 year old who would hand over her weekly pay checks?? Or a grown daughter who relentlessly has and continues to care for her still young mother?
This family of ladies is an example to all of us, regardless of our situations.
We also take for granted our LEGS.
It’s a long road to recovery and you have to re-learn everything, including walking.

Jan — we love you so so very much and you’ve always given no matter your situation — we are all blessed to know and love you.

To all the readers: THANK you for your kindness, encouragement and offers to help….it reminds me that our world is still good and giving isn’t lost.

I had one wish this Christmas, an intangible wish… Thank you God for the miracle

Much love — SHW
SHW

Oh, and by the way… The news didn’t show up at the Stewart home handing a thing out. Because of her daughters and others who love them as family, her story reached CBS.
There are tons of families struggling. I am one of them.
But, someone else has it much much worse so I’m thankful.
SHW

Monica Carbone

I want more information on how I can help this young girl and her family immediately. This is a horrible situation to be in, holidays or not… My heart goes out to all of them.
Kim

I am a very close friend to the Stewart family as well. I will be happy to put anyone in touch with her that wants to help. My name is Kim and my phone number is 214 995 0498. They are a wonderful family that anyone would be happy to know.
Rosemary

Susan S. i understand what your saying. I’m in the same situation. My husband don’t go back to work till Jan 3, due to seasonal work. And i am home with our daughter who is out of school for 2 weeks. No money and just two gifts under our tree. Both for our kiddo. I do not want a handout either, i can work as hard as i need to.. cook clean, whatever. It’s been a hard year for us as my liver is not doing it’s job. Not in the best of health. But life goes on… and so do we. Story on the news or not.
d tibbs

I would like to apologize for my note above. i meant to praise Sam, and say to Janet what truly wonderful girls she raised. I can’t do much except pray for you all, and I will. I’ve seen your story twice now on CBS 11 and I pray that the mortgage company has some empathy at least for this family this Christmas. Sam, I know you just think you are doing what you have to do, but there are a lot of people your age who would not have done what you have done. Bless you and your family, and give your mom a big hug.. Merry Christmas
Sarah

This woman is truly one of the most wonderful people I know. She is always there to help others, even when she can’t help herself. She gives and gives, and always puts herself last. Jan is an amazing mother. No one is more deserving of help then this family. My Aunt Jan has blessed me and my family in more ways than I can express. She always has a smile on her face, and is trying her best to heal, and be the best woman that she can be. I personally just want to say thank you for everyone’s kind words and prayers for my family. Janet Stewart is an amazing woman!
Robert Jacques

My name is Robert I dont have much but if I could help in any way I’d be happy to I was really touched by this story please let me know
Beth

How can we help this family?
Robert & Shirley Elfont

Medical Costs Put Money Crunch On Colony Family
By Arezow Doost, CBS 11 News
December 21, 2010 10:09 PM

is there a way to make a donation to this needy family?
Kim

A fund has been set up for anyone wishing to donate. Please make donations to Wells Fargo Bank for the Janet Stewart Foundation. Thank everyone for such kind words and all the offers for help. You can not imagine how much this means to Jan and her daughters. May God Bless each and everyone of you.
Leigh Price

Kim,
Thank you for posting this. Do you know if there is a specific location that we should go to make the donation or will any Wells Fargo bank location be able to accept donations for the Janet Stewart Foundation?
Kim

Leigh:

It is my understanding that you can go to any Wells Fargo Location to donate. I can not thank you enough.
doreen

Miracles do happen..I seen it with my own eyes
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2010/12/27/generous-stranger-helps-colony-family-overcome-mountainous-medical-costs/ Generous Stranger Helps Colony Family Overcome Mountainous Medical Costs CBS Dallas / Fort Worth – News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and the Best of DFW

[...] THE COLONY (CBSDFW.COM) – One week ago, the Stewart family admitted they were facing a tough Christmas. [...]