Please help us stay afloat...

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for taking the time to read my story!

My name is Amal. I live with my son, Miguel, in Sacramento, California. We live in a one bedroom apartment. After I separated from my husband, my sweet little boy was diagnosed with Autism. He was just 4 years old. After assessments through our Healthcare Provider, I found a wonderful ABA therapy program for my son. The therapists were wonderful and knew exactly how to help my son. He's made so much progress and flourishes in this program!

Unfortunately, my son's Father didn't see the benefit of ABA therapy. He had remarried a very religious wife who insisted love was enough to help our son through this "difficult time". My son’s Father has a well documented history with substance abuse and alcoholism. I did not want to take any chances by letting my son be with his Father during his parenting time without his Father getting an alcohol/drug test. It was also important to slowly reintroduce his Father into my son’s life.

We had a family mediator, and later, the Judge, agree that a step up plan to reintroduce my son's Father into his life was best. They decided proving his sobriety was a reasonable request.  However, my son's Father disagreed and a custody battle ensued. I was left with unexpected legal fees from what became a contentious custody battle. Luckily, the end result was to step up a custody arrangement with gradual unsupervised time between my son and his Father with random alcohol/drug testing for six months.

I still owe my attorney almost $18,000. I’ve gradually being paying my attorney $200 a month over the last 2 years. I have also taken a second job to keep up with the bills, I clean the office where I work and that only adds $200 a month to my income and keeps me away from my son two nights a week. I’m struggling to make ends meet.

My rent increased by $100 this month. I make about $2400 a month. My rent is nearly half my income and after utilities, food, gas for the car, and payments to credit cards and my Attorney, I'm broke!

My son is very bright but has behavioral issues and trouble processing his feelings. His behaviors get worse when I spend too much time away from him. I've always been his primary care giver. My son is with me most of the time and spends every other weekend with his Father.

My attorney said the firm would settle my account for a lump sum payment of $10,000.00.  That still leaves me another $10,000.00 of credit card debt from constantly having to spread out monthly payments when I can't make all my bills. My own Father is disabled and he and my Mom live on a fixed income making moving in with them not an option. My son can be aggressive and I live in fear that he may hurt his Grandpa when his behaviors get out of control.

We need help to be able to stay in our own place. A place where my son has his own room, his toys, and where he has play dates with his friends from school. Even with two jobs, I can't keep up and it just feels like I'm spending more and more time away from my son.

We’ve always tried to make it on our own but, I have to do whatever it takes to maintain a normal, happy life for my son.

Every night I tell my son that I love him to the moon and back. I have vowed to always be his biggest fan and protect him however I can. We are happy where we are and I don't want my son to lose his room, his friends, or the routine we have together. We just need a little help to make it work!

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS.

KINDLY SHARE THIS CAMPAIGN WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

Thank you!