[Biblemat] H> A request for help from the Wolf Family (long message, sorry)

[rkkrwolf at knology.net]

												                                      July 5th, 2007

Dearest Brethren in Christ,

	Back a few months ago I wrote to the lists updating you on my medical conditions and the affects of that on my wife and two daughters let alone on me. I will include the last two messages at the bottom of this message for your review. Brethren I write this message with a heavy heart because I need to say a few important things and I also am asking for help.

	First, after my first message I received only two responses to my message. Both were very encouraging but only one of those responses came from the list while the other was from a brother in Christ directly. I don't know if my message was just too long or if it was thought to be a scam. With the amount of brethren that have responded to my messages over the past years I have a hard time believing the second to be true. One of the reasons I took the time to write that message was because previously many of you wanted to be updated on my condition. Please don’t get me wrong, I know we all have our own lives to deal with and we have different situations that we are involved in but in this situation in which I was asking for many different types of help it seemed that my petitions were left unheard. Brethren, dealing with the illnesses are hard enough but the lack of response to my message was even more burdensome on me and I tell you the truth that is was very depressing. As I said I only had two responses and they were very uplifting and I was and am still thankful for the needs that were supplied both spiritually and physically.

The second message was a true cry for help on behalf of my family. My message was clear explaining the toll that is being taken on my wife and two daughters and I included their emails and asked for you to please try to make time to send them a message of encouragement because they are in dire need of it. Once again brethren, a single response to each of the girls was given and it was all done by the same person. These 3 ladies that take such incredible care of me need the love and support from those brothers and sisters in Christ that they should be able to expect. To date it has not come. My disappointment really affected my overall health because I could not understand why this was allowed to happen. I will include their emails again with their names and ages and Brethren I implore you to take less than 5 minutes out of your day and just send a short message encouraging them and letting them know that they are in your prayers. I saw their faces when they received the message they got and it was the some of the greatest lift in their spirit I had seen in a long time. Please brethren renew their joy by sharing with them in the difficulties they are facing and the hope that is before them in the Lord.

Since the last message there are new updates. Two weeks ago we received our report from the Review Board of my medical retirement from the Air Force. They have decided to retain me on the same status that I have been on since Aug ’05 which is called the Temporary Disability Retirement List. This means they review my case every 12 months for up to 5 years from the original retirement date. At the end of the 5 years they have to make a permanent decision about my case and assign a disability rating and either decide to give me a permanent medical retirement or a severance package if they score me under 30% disabled. At the current time they are only rating me at 40% because my condition is unstable and that is also the reason they are leaving me on the Temporary Disability Retirement List. (If you are interested or have questions about this I would be happy to respond to them.) As of right now my next review will be July of 2008. Until then all we can do with the Air Force is collect all medical documentation and be ready to defend our case. Financially, this means that we have dropped from the $4200 a month we were making (prior to Aug’05) down to $1200 per month that we have been making since.

I have filed a claim with the Veterans Administration. They gave me a rating of 40% and I’m in the process of my 2nd appeal with them. For those who do not know how they work financially, that 40% rating that they pay me gets taken away from my Air Force pension so instead of receiving 40% from both I get $625 from the VA and $588 from the Air Force each month. Once I get a rating that is higher than the Air Force’s I will only receive pay from the VA from that point forward. So that is why we are appealing their last decision of 40% to try and get the % that we deserve and need to survive. If and when that comes through it could and should be as high as $2700 per month. That would be an amazing blessing and a new beginning for our family.

I also have filed my paperwork with the Social Security Administration and that is currently under appeal also. My first review came back declined. What we found out was that the Air Force did not send them my complete medical records and they left out the part from where I really began to get sick (April ’04  to present). As of now I have personally made sure that they have those records and copies of everything else that I have. I am awaiting a decision from the appeals judge on my case and I have been told that I should expect for it to take at least a year and that was at the end of April of this year. As for compensation from them, this would get us back out on our own and out of the house of my wife’s dad. Estimated disability payment from them for my whole family could be well above $2000 per month and that money is separate from my retirement and my VA payment. At that point and with everything added together we are talking about a monthly income of $4700 in which we could live on our own and be more than able to support ourselves again. When this will happen is the unknown question. It depends on what they see in all the paperwork and if there is a need for me to once again appeal the decision to get the right amount of benefits. The current “guessing” outlook is to have all of this worked out within the next 2 years.

As I previously mentioned, we are currently living with my wife’s dad and he is covering the housing costs for us leaving our car payment, insurance, medical expenses, family expenses, and assumed debts for us pay along with helping out with groceries and whatever needs there are for the girls education supplies and fees along with clothes. Originally the deal was that he would cover most of all this and also give us $500 at the first of every month. This became a large problem over the past 6 months especially and a lot of the items he had been paying dropped back to us. The other problem was the mental fatigue he was placing on each member of the family by complaining all the time that he could use that money in other places and that it was burden on him as was the whole situation that he volunteered to do. (He is retired on a great pension that is more than 5X what I am taking in, but the problem is that he is not a Christian, nor does he want anything to do with Godly things.) This situation was so bad that instead of just having the check ready we would have to go to him each month and ask for it and most of the time it took days of asking for us to get it and it really made us feel even lower than we already felt. However, the brethren here found out about what was taking place and as of May of this year, they have begun to support us by taking that $500 he was to give us and they are doing it instead. This has helped us so much physically and spiritually because we do not have to ask him anymore and the brethren have been incredible in stepping up to help us out and we are so grateful for their work of love. Not only that but they also helped us to pay off some of the medical debts we were acquiring because of all the medications I have to take and all the co-payments and travel costs not only for me but for my wife and both daughters. (My youngest daughter has a lung disease and is now exhibiting some of the same symptoms that I am facing which means more money out of our pocket.) Brethren, we are being blessed with help financially but are still scrapping bottom and now we are coming up on that start of school again within a month where we are going to need help. We are asking for help brothers and sisters, whatever help that can be given would be greatly appreciated. Anything would be greatly appreciated. If you have questions about anything we are willing to answer any and all without hesitation.

I want you to know that we are doing what we can to help ourselves to the best of our ability. My wife Kristi is going to school full time with grants covering part of the cost for that. She is working towards her associates degree in Medical Office Administration knowing that there will always be work in that field. As of right now she is scheduled to complete her classes in a little less than a year from now. Our oldest daughter is working this summer and she is even helping the family out with what she is making. Since I am unable to work outside the home, I have worked on converting old family movies, pictures, slides, and such to DVD to bring in some money also. That work is hit and miss but when I do get work it does pay decent. While I am very limited and unable to preach full time as I so dearly want to do more than anything else, I am remaining involved to the best of my ability and have recently been blessed to teach a young men’s class for our Wednesday night Bible classes. This is what really helps keep my spirits high and my courage to fight these diseases as much as I can. Last week I had the chance to preach for our Sunday evening service and I was so excited and happy to have that chance. It was the second time in as many months and it really made me feel alive again, like the pain and problems just disappeared and I was back to the way things were years ago. (I feel comfortable saying that I am willing to do short meetings that are not more than a day or two drive away. I am not saying this for the sake of pay because I would never want to give the impression of that being the reason for why I preach but for the sake of what it does for me spiritually and my love of sharing the gospel any chance I get). I share this with you because many brethren who are on this list have known me personally for many years and know the effort that I have tried my best to do in the work of our Lord. I have not given up the fight, but I am humbly coming before you in this fashion asking for any support both spiritually and financially that can be offered to our family. If it was not a necessity I would not ask or attempt to lay my burdens on anyone else.  However, as the head of my household I have a responsibility that I take very seriously and I know at this time I am doing what I need to do and that is asking my family in Christ for assistance while we wait for our retirement and disability to be taken care of.

I know this was once again long, and if you have to the review the previous e-mails from before which I will place after my conclusion I apologize. I just want to give you all the information and to make sure you know that this comes from a faithful family in Christ. If I can answer any questions please let me know. I do love my brethren in Christ and we do pray for those names that come across the list and for all who stand firm in the faith. We pray that God might bless you richly and that your work in the kingdom may continue.


In true love of the brethren,

Ryan Wolf
196 Poplar Street
Prattville, AL 36066
(334) 361-2839
ryanwolf at juno.com
rkkrwolf at knology.net

My wife and daughters e-mails are as follows:

My wife Kristi : krisdwolf at knology.net
My oldest Kourtnie (16): kourtniewolf at knology.net
My youngest Rebekah (12): dolphinbek at juno.com
They would really appreciate the support and prayers of all.
 
Here are the previous messages in order that explain the whole situation.

Message #1

Dearest brethren,

    Recently in asking a question I promised that I would write and give you an update of my health issues and what is happening with our family. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support my family has received by e-mails, cards, & support (both spiritually and financially). As of right now we are waiting for my results from my first year of temporary disability retirement list from the Air Force. Basically it is a 5 year plan for people with unstable conditions. They use it to review you each year for up to 5 years and if there has not been a permanent decision made by the 5 year point one must be made. For us we have just returned from Lackland AFB, Texas for my first review and we now wait to hear results and to better define our future. As of right now we are living off of a 50% retirement ($1200 per month). Due to this we have been living with my wife's father who is not a Christian but who has taken the burden of our living expenses and he basically provided us with our basic needs. Things are very difficult in the home and much stress has effected my wife and our two daughters (ages 16 and 12). We hope to be out on our own once again. My wife is currently going to school and I am not able to work. We have filed with the Veterans Administration and are currently on our second appeal. For those who know me well, the VA dared to say that I was "mentally retarded". Those were their words and not mine. So obviously we are in a fight to get those benefits which we rightly deserve. We also have filed with Social Security however we were denied benefits because the Air Force did not send any of my records since I had become ill in the end of 2003 through the present. We have submitted those missing records and I am working through the appeal process this week. So as I said we are stuck with a total of $1200 per month until this gets worked out and that was a $3000 a month loss for us and it doesn't take much to see how that can leave a dent in taking care of basic responsibilities. Thankfully between our dads and occasional support from different brethren we are just keeping our heads above water. Most know that my goal was to retire from the Air Force and go into preaching full time instead of trying to do both at the same time. I have had to put that great desire on hold due to my health and I pray daily for some relief to come my way so that I can get back to doing what I love, what I desire and being a servant in every way possible. So what is it that is stopping this from happening? Let me give a brief explanation of the medical details and let me add that if anyone has questions please don't be worried about asking, as brethren I do not mind sharing in detail what has happened or is happening.
  As for me things are coming into view now after all this time (4 years). I wish I had great news to give, but the Lord is using us to show strength and for others to accomplish his love through good works to our family and others buried in their fair share of trials. Recently Kristi and I returned from Wilford Hall  Medical Center (San Antonio, TX) for my TDRL (temporary disability retirement list) review. During those medical appointments along with a few before we left, we have received the following diagnoses. 
First, I have been diagnosed with Lupus and it is a chronic inflammatory disease that can target your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs. This would account for my back, my mitral valve prolapse with significant regurgitation, my lung aneurysm, my loss of my gall bladder and  appendix, and the low platelet count I have had since this all began. 
Second, Severe Fibromyalgia which is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points places on your body where slight pressure causes pain. 
Third, gastroparesis which is a condition in which the muscles in the wall of your stomach don't function normally. Basically its a disease that effects how your stomach digests what you eat. It takes the normal person 90min to digest 1/2 of what is in their stomach, for me it takes 495mins to do the same amount. 
Fourth, this has also effected my mental wellbeing as you could imagine being 32 years old and not suppose to lift over 10lbs and have any type of exercise but swimming and so they are going to have to compensate for that also. So basically what has transpired and what we are currently waiting for is for the Air Force to make a decision regarding my TDRL from the information I provided from my doctors and from the information from the doctors at Wilford Hall.(that decision can be anything from finalizing my retirement, continuing me on the temporary retirement for another year to see if things change, or to separate us from active service with no benefits but with a small severance) from the Air Force.
The good news is that the military has to take responsibility for all of these things because they began while I was on active duty and have only continued to get worse. None of the diagnoses have a cure, but can be controlled to a very little extent either by diet or/and lifestyle changes. So what that means is that I need to be grateful for everyday I wake up and use it to serve and bring glory to Christ as we all should. 
My medical history says I may be here for a long time and be able to hopefully do the work of our Father in Heaven but since I have developed the heart valve issue and have a history of aneurysms my time and prognosis is not good. Let me tell you that I have been humbled over the past 4 years and especially over the past month when all of this has finally been labeled and I can honestly say that I am learning to make the very best of everyday with my family and whatever work I can do in the kingdom. I have been told that we have been a strength to many and if that is what we are here and able to do than we will do so with all diligence and 100% effort. Please keep us in your prayers as I know you will.
    I also plead with you to keep my wife Kristi, and daughters Kourtnie and Rebekah in your prayers. As most of us have been touched with such situations or know those who have it is my honest belief that they are going through a more difficult time that I am. My dear wife has had to listen to the doctors say that her 32 year old husband may only have 5-10 years left to walk and now she is being told that the prognosis is poor and unknown. Don't get me wrong her faith is strong, but like us she is human and after almost 15 years of marriage and 20 years of friendship we are not quite ready to be apart. However, she knows that like Paul I wish to stay here if it serves the Lord, but my body is not making it easy to stay in this world. Likewise you can imagine what these type of words can do to your 16 and 12 year old daughters. I beg of you to remember Kristi, Kourtnie, & Rebekah in your prayers that their faith will remain true and that they will be a strength not only to me but to all that are around them and know their trials. Please I pray that you will honor this request on my behalf because they are my greatest concern.

    I share this with you dear brethren, humility takes on a new meaning when these type of things befall you. The day I finally received a firm diagnosis my heart became less heavy and my burden felt lighter in regards to my future. Please don't misunderstand me, my life is not over that I know of and I am going to plan and serve the Lord each day I can take a breath. Put I will share with you as some already well know that there is a very humbling feeling, a sobering feeling when a doctor or in my case doctors tell you that you could leave this world at anytime. Brethren, that is a weird moment. However, in their next breath they have told us that if I closely adhere to my medication regiment and really work on my diet and exercise (swim) as much as I can handle then I could be around for a long time and I admit I selfishly would like to experience what it feels like to be a grandfather, even though I demandingly ask the girls to wait until their older to fulfill this for me. Please just remember me in your prayers. The young man who you knew and had always had great energy and excitement in teaching the truth is still inside of me and when I have opportunity I still take the time to teach classes and deliver lessons, just not on a full time basis as I desire but am humbly limited from.
    Finally, and back where I started, thank you so much for your support. The prayers, cards, and phone calls have been so encouraging to us and I thank you with all sincerity and love of the brethren. For those who have been able to help us in our financial needs I also share my thankfulness to you for going beyond that which we could have ever asked. For now and until the all 3 government agencies make their decisions that need still remains. In a sense we are depleting our dad's retirements (however they are willing to do so, both not being Christians) and they have seen your generosity and have shown appreciation themselves for the love that has been shown to us. Thank you so very much for your help in faith and in love.
    As I have made clear I am not able to work because of all of my physical conditions and because of certain rules with government agencies but I am able to work on my computer in bed and if I can do anything to help anyone from creating powerpoint backgrounds for lessons or just to do some typing so that you can do further work in the kingdom please let me know. My goal is to do the will of our Lord until my time is done and so if there is a way for me to help you in doing such it would be my honor and privilege to do that for you and the kingdom. (I like to make handouts from things like business cards, postcards, and even bulletins.)
    I will end my novel here with thanksgiving to all of you who labor in the kingdom. I will pray with thanksgiving knowing that you will offer up prayers on behalf of my family and that your love is clear in that action. Thank you for being the brethren we are suppose to be and my earnest prayer is that the Lord continues to bless you in everything you do in His name.
With sincere appreciation and Christian love,
Ryan Wolf
196 Poplar Street
Prattville, AL 36066
Home - (334) 361-2839
Cell - (334) 312-0815

Message #2
Dearest Brethren,

        Just wanted to keep you up to date. last Friday I went to the Social Security Office here in Montgomery to file my appeal for benefits. The people there were really helpful and helped me do all the paperwork right there on the spot. So the good news is that the appeal has been submitted to go before the appeals judge. The bad news is that they said that I can expect up to a 1 year wait for an appeal decision. So if you have read my novel below you know that this is more troubling news. Please keep us in your prayers.
        Also in my last message I meant to leave the girls emails in case you would like to email them personally with encouragement.
        My wife Kristi : krisdwolf at knology.net
        My oldest Kourtnie (16): kourtniewolf at knology.net
        My youngest Rebekah (12): dolphinbek at juno.com
        They would really appreciate the support and prayers of all.
        Thanks again for your love and prayers.

With sincere appreciation and Christian love,
Ryan Wolf
196 Poplar Street
Prattville, AL 36066
Home - (334) 361-2839
Cell - (334) 312-0815