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In a bind
Michael Buford of Roseburg could lose his home if he does not come up with $6,500 by Nov. 29.
Time is running out for a medically disabled Roseburg man who could lose his house if he doesn't come up with $6,500 by Nov. 29.
Thanks to Karen Tolley of While Away Books in Roseburg, Michael Buford is almost halfway to reaching that goal.
Tolley has seen Buford every few days for the past four years. She's listened to his troubles and is doing her best to make sure he doesn't wind up homeless.
"He's a nice fellow," she said. "He's very needy in some ways, but still endearing. We've enjoyed having him become part of our little community here. He's as bright as they come."
At 45, Buford has had three brain surgeries, is unable to work and, until recently, was dependent on Medicare benefits through the Oregon Health Plan to pay for more than $1,000 in medications he has to take each month to survive.
His coverage was cut in March, after the rules for receiving prescription benefits were changed. Forced to pay his medical expenses out of pocket, and with no family to turn to, Buford was left with a terrible choice.
"Do I pay for my medicine, or the house? If I don't take my medicine, I'll die. If I don't have anyplace to live, I'll probably die. Either way it looks bad," he said.
Thanks to Karen Tolley of While Away Books in Roseburg, Michael Buford is almost halfway to reaching that goal.
Tolley has seen Buford every few days for the past four years. She's listened to his troubles and is doing her best to make sure he doesn't wind up homeless.
"He's a nice fellow," she said. "He's very needy in some ways, but still endearing. We've enjoyed having him become part of our little community here. He's as bright as they come."
At 45, Buford has had three brain surgeries, is unable to work and, until recently, was dependent on Medicare benefits through the Oregon Health Plan to pay for more than $1,000 in medications he has to take each month to survive.
His coverage was cut in March, after the rules for receiving prescription benefits were changed. Forced to pay his medical expenses out of pocket, and with no family to turn to, Buford was left with a terrible choice.
"Do I pay for my medicine, or the house? If I don't take my medicine, I'll die. If I don't have anyplace to live, I'll probably die. Either way it looks bad," he said.
Buford survives exclusively on Social Security benefits, but was awarded a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program to purchase a $71,934 home on Altamont Street based on his low-income status.
"I thought it was fate that I should get this house," he said. "I was born right across the street at Douglas (Community Hospital)."
He had been religiously making mortgage payments since July 2001, when his health coverage was cut.
Buford has been delinquent in paying on his mortgage for eight months, causing Rural Development to pursue foreclosure. On Oct. 20, the matter could have been settled for $3,602. As of today, Buford must produce $6,500 or face eviction on Dec. 3.
Tolley said she knew Buford was in financial trouble because his coverage was cut, but didn't realize how dire the situation was. When she finally got him to confess what was happening, she knew she had to help any way she could.
She set up a jar on the counter at her store that customers could put spare change in after buying coffee or books.
"We're currently at $3,300," Tolley said, almost half of what is needed to keep Buford housed. "People are really rising to the occasion."
Buford was taken aback by the generosity of the bookstore's patrons.
"It's hard to ask for help," he said. "It hurt my ego a little, but I'm grateful for what everybody's done."
Lindie Champ, manager of Roseburg's office of Rural Development, said Buford was receiving a subsidy to help pay the loan. When his account became delinquent, interest started accruing at a higher rate, explaining the more than $3,000 increase in his bill in less than a month.
"After going into acceleration, paying that full amount is the only way to stop it," she said.
Champ said her department sent letters explaining to Buford different methods of preventing the process from moving ahead, but he didn't respond.
"I think, because he had no one to help him with this, he didn't react soon enough," she said.
Buford said his health problems began while he was a medical student at Oregon Health and Science University almost 20 years ago. He had gone in for an allergy shot, when his doctor discovered something more ominous during a physical exam. Buford had a brain tumor.
His dream of practicing medicine died following an invasive surgery.
"They said I wouldn't live to see 30," he said.
He has since had two other surgeries and is unable to work. The ravaging effects of the tumors and surgeries has damaged his pituitary and endocrine system. He has, at times, been so weak and ill that he has contemplated suicide, he said. Still, he finds a reason to go on when he reflects on something his grandfather used to say.
"He'd tell me, 'A day without learning is a wasted day,'" Buford said. "I've taken that to heart. I try to look for something new to learn and that keeps me going."
His medical situation is looking better. Buford's psychiatrist, Larry Bogart, has made arrangements with a pharmaceutical company to provide him medication through a patient assistance program.
Champ said if Buford is able to come up with the $6,500 before Nov. 29, Rural Development will help him find a way to keep his home.
* You can reach reporter Stacy D. Stumbo at 957-4230 or by e-mail at sstumbo@newsreview.info.
"I thought it was fate that I should get this house," he said. "I was born right across the street at Douglas (Community Hospital)."
He had been religiously making mortgage payments since July 2001, when his health coverage was cut.
Buford has been delinquent in paying on his mortgage for eight months, causing Rural Development to pursue foreclosure. On Oct. 20, the matter could have been settled for $3,602. As of today, Buford must produce $6,500 or face eviction on Dec. 3.
Tolley said she knew Buford was in financial trouble because his coverage was cut, but didn't realize how dire the situation was. When she finally got him to confess what was happening, she knew she had to help any way she could.
She set up a jar on the counter at her store that customers could put spare change in after buying coffee or books.
"We're currently at $3,300," Tolley said, almost half of what is needed to keep Buford housed. "People are really rising to the occasion."
Buford was taken aback by the generosity of the bookstore's patrons.
"It's hard to ask for help," he said. "It hurt my ego a little, but I'm grateful for what everybody's done."
Lindie Champ, manager of Roseburg's office of Rural Development, said Buford was receiving a subsidy to help pay the loan. When his account became delinquent, interest started accruing at a higher rate, explaining the more than $3,000 increase in his bill in less than a month.
"After going into acceleration, paying that full amount is the only way to stop it," she said.
Champ said her department sent letters explaining to Buford different methods of preventing the process from moving ahead, but he didn't respond.
"I think, because he had no one to help him with this, he didn't react soon enough," she said.
Buford said his health problems began while he was a medical student at Oregon Health and Science University almost 20 years ago. He had gone in for an allergy shot, when his doctor discovered something more ominous during a physical exam. Buford had a brain tumor.
His dream of practicing medicine died following an invasive surgery.
"They said I wouldn't live to see 30," he said.
He has since had two other surgeries and is unable to work. The ravaging effects of the tumors and surgeries has damaged his pituitary and endocrine system. He has, at times, been so weak and ill that he has contemplated suicide, he said. Still, he finds a reason to go on when he reflects on something his grandfather used to say.
"He'd tell me, 'A day without learning is a wasted day,'" Buford said. "I've taken that to heart. I try to look for something new to learn and that keeps me going."
His medical situation is looking better. Buford's psychiatrist, Larry Bogart, has made arrangements with a pharmaceutical company to provide him medication through a patient assistance program.
Champ said if Buford is able to come up with the $6,500 before Nov. 29, Rural Development will help him find a way to keep his home.
* You can reach reporter Stacy D. Stumbo at 957-4230 or by e-mail at sstumbo@newsreview.info.
How to help
Individuals wishing to help Michael Buford keep his house can do so by dropping money in a jar at While Away Books, located at 932 W. Harvard Ave., Roseburg. They can also make donations at the downtown branch of Umpqua Bank. Money can be deposited in account number 417002556.
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