Franklinville, New Jersey — A family grappling with overwhelming medical expenses and financial hardships has averted foreclosure on their home thanks to a heartfelt social media appeal. The crisis began when Alexus, a 24-year-old who has faced serious health challenges her entire life, continued to require extensive care at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The family originally relocated from Pensacola, Florida, to Franklinville following Alexus’ diagnosis of Type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive condition that affects muscle strength. Tragically, their son also suffers from the same illness.
Things worsened for the family in December 2024 when Alexus’ health declined significantly. Her mother, Rebecca, described the harrowing situation. “It literally spiraled downhill from there. She was strong. She was incubated. She was on a ventilator, and one issue led to another,” she said.
While Alexus was hospitalized, the family received troubling news: they were facing foreclosure due to missed mortgage payments. The financial strain had become unmanageable, compounded by Rebecca’s inability to work while tending to her children and supporting Alexus in the hospital daily. Their only source of income came from the father, a union worker who has never qualified for disability benefits.
Rebecca expressed the weight of their situation, saying, “It just doesn’t take much anymore. If you miss a day or two or try to catch up, it’s so heavy.” Any minor illness affecting the family’s sole wage earner felt like an unmanageable setback.
In a bid to save their home, Alexus’ lifelong friend, Trinity Jagdeo, sparked hope by creating a TikTok video aimed at raising funds for a potential purchase during an upcoming sheriff’s sale. Trinity, who has previously founded a nonprofit organization to assist families facing disabilities and financial struggles, sought to rally community support for Alexus’ family.
Just hours before the sale, attorney Eric Clayman saw Trinity’s post and reached out to the family offering assistance. Clayman, based in Cherry Hill, advised Rebecca to consider filing for bankruptcy as a way to halt the foreclosure proceedings and enable the family to retain their home.
“They came to my office, and we immediately got the paperwork ready,” Clayman recalled, explaining that the family filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which provides a structured plan for repaying debts over 60 months.
This legal maneuver crucially allows the family to work towards catching up on their mortgage while securing a stable home environment amid ongoing challenges. “There’s nothing I can say that expresses my gratitude,” Rebecca remarked, acknowledging Trinity’s dedicated efforts. “What she has achieved and given so freely is a very special gift.”
Studies have shown that medical issues often lead to foreclosure, accounting for a significant portion of cases nationwide. In the United States, approximately 322,000 foreclosures were reported last year.
Now, the family hopes to modify their loan, making monthly payments more manageable as they navigate their new reality with renewed hope.
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