TRAVERSE CITY -- In a year's time, four seasons unfolding in gentle progression, Lori Hall Steele's world contracted.
The vibrant, sparkling mother and successful writer felt numbness in her foot last fall, a sensation that spread into a medical crisis. This fall, she faces foreclosure on top of staggering medical bills, grim diagnoses and a struggle for each breath.
Confined to a hospital bed and unable to move, she is helped by a machine to breathe. Lori's mother has moved in to care for her and her 7-year-old son, Jack.
Lori is an acclaimed freelancer who has published more than 3,000 articles in local, regional and national publications. At 44, she can no longer earn a living because of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and chronic Lyme disease.
"(Lori) essentially had to turn over all her remaining writing assignments in March," said Kris Hains, a fellow freelance writer and longtime friend. "She had just been approached by an agent who had sent Lori a contract to write 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Building.' She ended up having to turn down the contract."
Her friends cannot solve her medical problems, so they are determined to alleviate financial worries. A successful fundraiser in April and a grant helped, but were quickly depleted while mortgage payments loom monthly.
In a matter of days, Lori could lose her home. Hoping to forestall this blow, on Sept. 10 Hains and Jane Boursaw, another Traverse City freelance writer, launched www.savelorishouse.com. Tapping the talent and compassion of writer, marketer and publicist Rachel Weingarten of Brooklyn, the Web site was up within hours.
"Her foreclosure date is Sept. 17," Hains said. "It is our hope that we will be able to halt the process so that Lori can have the peace of mind knowing that she can stay in her home."
The appeal is spreading through the global village on freelance writers' sites, Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo "Top Buzz" designation and Twitter. The hub, www.savelorishouse.com is updated regularly with the latest information and links.
"It's our dream to buy the house for Lori outright so that she'll have some comfort and peace of mind and something tangible to give her son," said Weingarten, adding that despite an era of "extreme belt tightening" people are sending money, cards and e-mails of support for Lori. "Communities, virtual or otherwise, still protect their own."
Plain old e-mail is also doing the trick.
Lori had insurance when she was first treated for symptoms, but the company designated it a pre-existing condition. All expenses were out of pocket, eventually running $100 a day for treatment, not counting tests, travel and other care. She now has Medicare/Medicaid, but that does not touch the large debt already accumulated, nor does a grant earmarked for medical expenses from Stephen King's Haven Foundation.
For more information, see www.savelorishouse.com.
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