Submitted Photo Left to right: Chance Couchman, Melanie Graves Couchman, Dakota Couchman and Sierra Couchman.

BROCTON — Melanie Graves is a lifelong resident of the small, close-knit community, of Brocton. She has always reached out a helping hand to those in our area who needed assistance. Even in her past career in human services she has assisted others and always did it with her whole heart.

Now, Melanie and her children, are facing difficult times. In 2012 she had her first extensive cervical surgery and in 2014 she had a second one to release pressure on her spinal cord and stabilize her neck. Ninety percent of her neck is metal and cadaver bone. In between the two surgeries she was released to go back to work. After the second surgery her doctor couldn’t clear her to go back to work and her employer let her go in March 2015. She applied for Social Security Disability in January of that year. An appeal was requested in February 2015. That appeal was just denied last month. From here a request to review the judge’s decision goes to Washington, D.C. This process could take up to two years and there is no guarantee that the review board will even look at her case. Graves is faced with mounting debt and two children still in school. She is truly unable to work.

Here is a portion of the doctor’s letter:

“Melanie continues to have persistent neck pain and limitations. At this time she is unable to go to work. She is unable to lift above her head. She cannot lift anything over 10 pounds. She is unable to sit or stand for greater than 1-2 hours at a time. Even the most basic activities of daily living including household chores are complex for her and cause exacerbation of pain. She does have limited range of motion of her cervical spine as well and suffers daily headaches.”

Graves and her children have survived with no income for the last year. They have subsisted with only family help. Now, organizers are reaching out to the community and the surrounding area for help. On Saturday there will be a fundraising event at the Nickel Plate Depot starting at 1 p.m. There will be a spaghetti dinner at 4 p.m.,  live music, a silent auction, Wild Kat Karaoke and DJ, a 50-inch TV raffle and a 50/50.