February 2008

Aloha,  

My name is Michelle Higgins-Mahe. I am writing this letter out of desperation.  

I am married and have five children, three biological and two Hanai. We have 16 pets and have applied to be a foster home. 

Due to a series of events beyond my control, my family and I will soon be homeless. We are losing our home because I have been unable to work and unable to pay the bills. I have recently had spinal surgery and now face an unpredictable future. My family and I are in great need of help, either advice as to what to do or monetary. We would be grateful for any help at all. 

The following are some of the circumstances that have lead to my family's humble situation.

In February 2004, I was involved in an accident on the H1. A truck tire hit me. The garbage company denied the accident. My mother was in the car and despite this witness, the company refused to acknowledge the accident. I missed several months of work and sustained injuries. 

In September of 2004 I was hit from behind. I sustained new injuries and exacerbated previous injuries sustained in the February accident. Again I was out of work for an extend period of time and finances were tight. We were falling behind on bills and my credit was taking a beating.

For the past several years we have been trying to improve our credit rating and get our finances back on track. We were expecting to settle with the insurance companies later this year for the two car accidents in 2004. Our future looked promising until April 28, 2007.  

On this day I was involved in a hit and run. The injuries I received resulted in surgery. I had a two level cervical spinal fusion on August 22, 2007.  I was unable to work from the date of the accident and will be off for at least 4-6 months post surgery.  

Since April 28, 2007, I have been collecting Workman’s Comp as this accident happened while I was working. WC has been paying me $2400.00/month. My pay prior to this accident was $4800.00/month from my first job and $2000.00/month from my second job.  

My husband has taken up two jobs since the time that I could no longer work. His income is $1800.00/month. Our Home Mortgage is $5600.00/month.  

Due to the extreme decrease in income we have fallen behind on our mortgage payments. We have made multiple attempts to get a hold of CountryWide (our mortgage company) to discuss our options. They are not willing to work with us. 

The result of these unforeseen events has now put my family in a position where we are losing our home. CountryWide has recently decided to foreclose. My lawyer sent them a letter of hardship (as they requested) on August 3, 2007. CountryWide was supposed to get back to us in five days. More than two weeks later, we found out that CountryWide had finally responded to our letter by phone on the same day I had spinal fusion surgery. In spite of the fact that my lawyer included the date of my surgery in the letter of hardship, CountryWide decided to call us two weeks late when there was a large chance that no one would be home. 

I have spent my life caring for and at the service of others. Prior to my accident I worked as a Registered Nurse for Queens Hospital and held a second job as an ER nurse through a temp agency. With my two jobs I was able to bring in 6-7 thousand dollars a month. 

My home is also a rescue for animals. We have rescued cats, birds, and a dog from a life on the streets and possible death. In addition, we are a registered foster home and would have taken in two foster children earlier this year if I hadn't been the victim of a "hit and run." 

I want nothing but to continue to provide a home for my children, Hanai and foster, as well as the animals that have become a part of our o'hana.

My family and I are asking for any of the following: 

1) If anyone was a witness to my April 28, 2007 accident, which occurred at 9:30 am on the corner of Hunikai St. and Waialae Ave. near Kahala Mall, please step forward and give any information you can about the man who backed into me and drove off. He was driving a dark blue, full size pickup truck. 

2) Any monetary donations would be greatly appreciated. I would be more than happy to reimburse the donations when I receive the settlements for the several car accidents I have had. The money would go to simply paying off my mortgage and ensuring that CountryWide will not follow through on the foreclosure of our house. The donation payback schedule can be set up by my lawyer to ensure that everyone feels safe about the arrangements. 

And finally,

3) I am appealing to any banks that would be willing to grant me a low-interest loan, with reasonable monthly payments. 

My family and I would like to extend our gratitude in advance to those who find it in their hearts to help us. 

Love and Aloha, 

Michelle Higgins-Mahe 

7739 Waikapu Lp

Honolulu, HI

96825

je_suis@hawaiiantel.net

808 396-9501 

P.S. Please contact us at your earliest convenience with any advice or monetary help. Our foreclosure date is 4/4/08. Many Mahalo's