Jean Stevens, Binghamton, NY

2013 Binghamton ZooneyFest Recipient

Jean Stevens, with cancer diagnoses, was employed but has been out of work for 12 weeks and has lost her benefits.

Jean has been undergoing treatment for uterine cancer and will probably need additional surgery. She is also diabetic, which is a complicating factor. Shawn has had 3 heart attacks. They adopted two girls, both of whom are special needs, but one with severe behavior issues that require additional attention the family struggles to provide. Shawn is supporting them all at this point.
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Jean has been terminated by her employer because she has been out 12 weeks on disability and cannot return to work, but she could get her job back should she become healthy. Jean and her family are day-to-day on paying for living expenses, utilities and rent. It has been difficult for Jean and her family to ask for help as they have always been used to getting through on their own and extending themselves to others, especially the children in their lives, to be a source of strength. .