Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 25, 1994 TAG: 9411250031
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Kilmer has taken care of the girl, who is autistic, since she was an infant. They are both on Medicaid, and each receives $446 a month in Supplemental Security Income payments. Most of the time, that is enough to pay for food and rent and for their one luxury, cable TV.
Sometimes, though, money has been tight because one of Kilmer's daughters lives out of town and has cancer. Because she doesn't own a car and can't visit, Kilmer calls long-distance to check on her. An elderly sister who lives in New England also is ill.
Sometimes, she said, getting by is "really, really rough."
Her lack of transportation caused Kilmer to go to Roanoke Area Ministries for help.
Kilmer has a variety of illnesses, including diabetes and emphysema. In July, her doctors found a melanoma on her cornea, a very rare condition. They removed the diseased tissue and had her fitted with a prosthetic eye. Medicaid and Roanoke's Social Services Department paid for her treatment, but paying for rides to her appointments, some of which were in Charlottesville, set Kilmer back financially. By September, she was unable to pay her rent.
Her landlord suggested she go to RAM, where she was given half of her rent payment from money raised through the Good Neighbors Fund.
"It's a great place. I couldn't ask for a better place if I needed help," she said. When she feels well enough to leave the house, Kilmer - who lives close by - sometimes walks to RAM for a hot lunch.
Kilmer has rented her apartment for the past 27 years, and without help from RAM, "I don't know what I would have done," she said. "I would have had to move."
The Good Neighbors Fund is not meant to see people through on a month-to-month basis. Kilmer does not know where she will find money for the next few months.
Kilmer said she hoped she would be back on her feet financially by January. She still has doctor's appointments to keep, but a friend has agreed to drive her around for free. Her doctors don't know if the cancer will return.
At least her mind is at ease about the holidays, she said. The Presbyterian Community Center, where she was screened for eligibility for Good Neighbors funds, will provide meals and gifts.
"They're going to see that me and Tina have a good Christmas," Kilmer said.
Checks should be made payable to Good Neighbors Fund and mailed to Roanoke Times & World-News. P.0. Box 1951, Roanoke 24008.
Names - but not amounts of donations - of contributing businesses, individuals or organizations, as well as memorial and honorific designations, will be listed in the newspaper. Those requesting that their names not be used will remain anonymous. If no preference is stated, the donor's name will be listed.
Gifts cannot be earmarked for any particular individual or family. Gifts are tax-deductible.
by CNB