Rick Gunn/Nevada Appeal Michele Thomas has a variety of muscular dystrophy and was recently abandoned by her fiance with two children and without a place to live or money.
Michele Thomas, 33, has no place else to go.
She lives at a friend's house in east Carson City because she doesn't have the strength to stand or the financial independence to raise her two children in a home of their own.
Thomas was diagnosed with a form muscular dystrophy called dermatomyositis in 2003. She has both Medicare and Medicaid, but that doesn't cover everything. The $1,200 she gets monthly from Social Security is too much for her to qualify for any other medical aid programs.
Thomas' fiance, and friend for 23 years, left her this month. With no excuses, he left the family without an income or a home.
"I can't work, and I hate not being able to work," said Thomas, after she carefully lowered herself onto the living room couch. She moves like an elderly woman, rather than someone in her early 30s. "Now even sitting down, I can't get myself back up. My muscles don't work like they used to."
Dermatomyositis is a disease that involves inflammation of the muscles or associated tissues. The cause is unclear, but researchers suspect viruses or exposure to certain drugs might trigger the misdirected immune response, according to The Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Originally from Southern California, Thomas moved to Carson City with her former fiance and children last year. Her disease worsened at the end of 2004. Thomas said she spent three weeks at Carson-Tahoe Hospital and another six weeks in physical rehabilitation to regain some mobility. She had to relearn how to walk and feed herself.
Thomas' daughter, 16-year-old Kayla, recently got her driver's license, so she does all the errands and grocery shopping. Kayla and 9-year-old Ryan love Carson City, so Thomas hopes to move into an apartment soon then return to work in the funeral home business.
"When the muscles want to work, they'll work," she said.
Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.
YOU CAN HELP
Michele Thomas has an account set up for her medical expenses with Greater Nevada Credit Union: No. 840319.
