Kelly Parker's home covered with graffiti in Detroit. (Credit: WJBK)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
A single mother from Detroit is battling two different cancers and now she's also in a fight to keep her home. After getting behind on taxes, the house is on the auction block.
It's pretty hard to miss Kelly Parker's house on the city's west side. It's covered with graffiti and it was done on purpose to try and keep potential buyers at bay.
"The city decided that they were putting it up on auction, so I made it to the point where nobody would want me to buy it," said Parker.
Life has dealt the mother of two some pretty rough blows. She has stacks of paperwork documenting her struggle. She lost her job, suffers from Crohn's disease and is now in the fight of her life.
"Three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer and it's to the point where they want to do brain surgery tomorrow, and I just found all this out. So them trying to evict me out of my house and sell my house, I'm not going anywhere."
When she bought the home in 2005, the small, tidy two bedroom bungalow was Parker's dream home. A place to raise a family. Then her mortgage doubled and she fell behind. The home went into foreclosure. She owes about $12,000 dollars in back taxes.
She was hoping her disability checks would kick in with enough time to save the place, not for her, but for her sons.
"According to doctors, I don't have much time, so at least my kids will have a house."
"She's really sick, and she's a good mom and a good neighbor," said Tina McNally. "So we want her here."
Instead of complaining about the eyesore, neighbors are supporting Parker's effort to stay. They even contacted the Problem Solvers.
"When I read that sign on Sunday and it broke my heart, I had to start doing something," McNally said.
Plastering her life story in front of her house and spray painting her home with words of warning may not fix Parker's situation, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
"I'm totally for what she has to do to get a word out there for help," said son Kevin Gerhard.
"This is our house and we're not leaving. I mean, good luck because you're not going to get it," said Parker.
She is still working with her doctors to come up with a plan to treat her cancer. Meanwhile, her neighbors are trying to shine a light on her story. They've started a Facebook page called "Help Kelly Parker".
Saturday, February 23 2013 11:33 PM EST2013-02-24 04:33:03 GMT
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
Saturday, February 23 2013 8:56 PM EST2013-02-24 01:56:59 GMT
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.n.
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.
Monday, February 18 2013 6:38 PM EST2013-02-18 23:38:52 GMT
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
Sunday, February 17 2013 11:16 PM EST2013-02-18 04:16:14 GMT
Thick smoke and orange flames could be seen shooting out of a long-abandoned home on Detroit's northwest side late Sunday. Detroit fire fighters worked in the freezing cold temperatures to contain the
A Detroit woman finds her house damaged after a suspected arsonist sets the vacant home next door on fire.
Saturday, February 16 2013 8:15 PM EST2013-02-17 01:15:29 GMT
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road.
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road. So far, no information has been released about the victim.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:39 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:39:46 GMT
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
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