Mama Leavitt Parkinson's Care Fund

Dear Friends and Amazing People,

Hello, thanks for your interest & support. 

I am a daughter who's mother needs help. My mother Clelia, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2007.  She has been battling this debilitating disease for 10 years.  She has been needing a lot more help and care over the past year.    In Summer 2015, I moved from New York where I was independent, working, had my own place, and living a life of freedom, to come be with her in Miami, Florida (where I'm from).   My initial plan was to not only live with her so she wouldn't be by herself (because it wasn't safe), but to also step in as her caretaker. I also really didn't want her to end up in a Nursing Home.  I have been her care taker for the past 2 years.  However, I find myself in a place of not being able to take on this role anymore.  My mom needs real professional help. The Psychical and Psychological impairment of this disease is real and it progresses over time.  She has gotten worse, and it is more than I can handle.  Both physically and mentally.  I am experiencing hardship trying so hard to be her care taker.  As a result, I am under an extreme amount of stress. This is hard both mentally and emotionally.  

As a young adult, I do not have my life of freedom that I once had.  I haven't been able to work or keep a full time job because she can't be left alone all day. It is also very sad and difficult watching my mom progress on a daily basis needing more and more help with daily tasks, something that one in a healthy body takes for granted.  There is not much I can do for her anymore.  I physically am not the right person to do this in the future when she needs even more help. 

With the encouragement from a good friend, I have decided to open a Go Fund Me campaign to finally get the help that both my mom and I need.  This money will be going towards her care.  In all the research  and work that I have done in finding the ways that she can be helped & cared for, the ideal situation is an Assisted Living Facility.  Here she will have a private apartment where appropriate staff works in the building.  She will be provided 24 hour, 7 days a week professional care, meals, medical care & assistance, therapy, and assistance with daily activities.  

As you can probably guess, Assisted Living is quite expensive (like much of the elderly care in our Country) This is why I  haven't been able to get her into one sooner because we haven't been able to afford it.  So I took on the role of her caretaker, but my mom is at a place where she needs actual professional care, and I need to make a change in my life as this is becoming difficult and quite stressful for me to continue like this.  I would like to get my mom the help / care that she needs and deserves, while also getting my life back on track so I can move forward in my young adult hood, to go after my dreams and goals, and begin to work again to get myself on a healthy life track. 

This go Fund me is to raise money for her costs at the assisted living facility.  There is an entrance fee and a monthly cost of rent.  This will help cover her move in fee, first year of rent at the facility, and moving costs.  I have found a wonderful facility for her nearby and have even taken her to tour the place, but without the financial part secure, I am afraid that I wont be able to move her in.  By supporting this campaign, you will be helping not only my mother, but me.  This will allow me the opportunity to get back on my feet.

After losing my father (her husband) to Cancer, when I was only a small child, my mother was a single mother that did the best she could to raise me and my sister. We faced a lot of hardships but stuck together through it all. I am doing whats right and best by being here for my mother every step of the way, including making sure she is safe and well cared for.  If I keep her at home with just me - she is at risk.  This decision to find a facility, has been a very hard one to make, but I need to do whats best and safe all around and for everyone involved. 

Please know that this is a little difficult for me because I'm being very vulnerable letting people into my life while also asking for help.  I've been very hesitant asking others for help, as I usually don't like to, but I'm doing this for my mom because she needs and deserves it and so do I.  By stepping out of my comfort zone majorly here, I have faith in the great power of the support from others.  What we can accomplish together is nothing short of greatness. 

I need to get my mom in a facility asap, I am trying to get her moved by end of the month of May 2017 or as soon as possible.  I am grateful for any donation you can make, and/or spreading the word to any of your friends and loved ones who this might touch to help out.  Your support goes beyond appreciation on behalf of my family and I. Thank you so much!

Now here are some pictures to enjoy!
Me and mom in Key Biscayne, FL when I was a baby.  
We always loved going to the beach! 


Here with my sister Stephanie, circa mid 1980's! How cute is this picture?! My mom with her 2 babies <3 :) Such Love in this photo. (I'm the little baby waving hello)

Here we are again ... we were a great team in the ocean.  We sure loved to swim! 

This is my favorite picture of me and my mom.  It was when I came down from New York on Spring break and surprised her at her job at an Elementary School where she worked as a Teacher's Aide.  She was very happy and in tears to see me! 

Here we are Mother's Day 2014!

This is me with my mom today.  She now travels in a wheelchair when we are out.  (I have to bring the wheelchair whenever we go anywhere) 


Hope you enjoyed these pictures ... Thanks again!

~ Much love for any support provided ~ Blessings!