Hop Bottom couple wishes for a hero
Published: October 14, 2009
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Brian Varroney and Susan Mesa stand outside their Hop Bottom trailer the couple refer to as “the box.” STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON
A Hop Bottom area couple has just about run out of hope for help.
Susan Mesa and Brian Varroney, a Navy veteran, have reached out through all the regular venues for aid but have come up short in the process.
Susan, who has spine and knee problems, is unable to work and Varroney was diagnosed with epilepsy and suffers from grand mal seizures and is also now unable to work.
But the couple has been denied disability and is in the appeals process. They applied for disability in July 2008. “They say it will take one to two years to get a court date,” said Mesa.
In the meantime, they are living on about $600 per month from Varroney’s unemployment which will soon run out.
The couple refers to the trailer they live in as “the box.” Currently, they cannot afford heating fuel and have exhausted their help with Interfaith and Trehab.
The trailer, a rental property of Mesa’s in better times, was heavily damaged by the previous tenants. The couple cannot afford the necessary repairs.
So Mesa took her plea for help to the internet site “Wish Upon a Hero” in March.
After seven months of waiting with no progress, Mesa became even more discouraged.
“No one can help us,” said Mesa. “Everyone has their own problems.”
One of the site’s approved “wish ambassadors” became involved.
A wish ambassador is someone who is basically permitted to contact businesses and corporations on behalf of the site, according to Marie W., who prefers to not be identified with her last name.
“Being disabled myself, I just couldn’t turn away,” said Marie, who also lives in Pennsylvania and knows how bad the winters are in the area. “They couldn’t live like that.”
Marie has reached out on the couple’s behalf and has made some progress.
She found a person in Maryland willing to donate a four-year-old mobile home but has not been able to arrange for anyone to transport the home to the Hop Bottom area.
As of Monday, she was not sure if the home was still available but is still pursuing the lead.
At the prospect of getting a livable home, Mesa said, “That would help a lot - a new home that doesn’t have rotting floors you don’t fear falling through and skirting so the pipes don’t freeze.”
“It would mean peace of mind to not have to live in fear,” said Mesa.
Others have also stepped up to help the Mesa and Varroney. A local church has offered some help with the extensive repairs needed on the trailer.
And as the saying goes, when it rains it pours, the brakes on the couple’s car also need to be replaced. Mesa has offered to buy the parts but is unable to fix the car herself. It is the only transportation the couple has to get them to doctor appointments and to the grocery store.
“Susan has completely lost all hope and faith,” said Marie. “There has to be something we can do to help.”
Those who would like to help the couple can visit the site, www.wishuponahero.com. A quick search for SusanEM0426 will bring up the wish.
