Please Help Save Our Home
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We need your help. I made a promise to my kids that I would stop at nothing to save our home. So I am pushing past my pride and social stigmas to tell you our family's story. I have until June 30th to raise enough funds to save our home and I am running out of time.
My name is Karen Epstein and my family has been through a rough few years. I am a special education teacher with the school district where I have been employed for 20 years. I believe in hard work. I worked my way up to a teacher from a paraprofessional, a data processor, head secretary, behavioral interventionist to an instructor. I earned my degree while being a single mom to my oldest son, Chandler, as well as working a full time and part time job. My son Chandler struggled in school but never gave up. He was my hero in my darkest hours while juggling work, school, and parenthood. On days when I didn't think I could do one more lesson or work one more shift; he was my cheerleader. Chandler has a wicked sense of humor and is unbelievably charming. It is because of him and his struggles that I became a special education teacher and advocate for my students.
I got remarried over 12 years ago to my husband, Joel. We were blessed with two more children. Keagan, 8 years old, who is an aspiring engineer and nationally ranked chess player. My daughter McKenna, 11 years old, who is already a published writer.
A few years ago my husband started to struggle with severe depression. It affected his job ability and performance. He has not been able to gain steady employment. He is actively pursuing disability.
I have three amazing kids but only two are pictured here.
Chandler is now 17 years old. He has been struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. At the time it seemed to appear all of a sudden but hindsight is 20/20. It became evident to us when he attempted to take his life three years ago. In the years that have followed he has tried to take his life on six occasions. We have rallied as a family to help my loving, funny, and caring child.
This struggle has caused a toll emotionally and financially. On his last attempt I am the one who found him unresponsive. It was the worst day of my life. As a mom, you are always the one who fixes things. I couldn't fix him and that trauma still haunts me today. He was revived, recovered, and has been getting intensive treatment that I have had to vehemently fight for from the insurance company and mental health providers.
In the months that have followed I went into "mom mode". You launch into that survival mode where your only focus is the health and well being of your babies. Due to the stress and my own autoimmune disorder I became really sick. I missed work from my multiple jobs. The loss of income avalanched into our current situation. Even with working more hours I couldn't catch up and lost the ability to pay the mortgage.
I don't believe in handouts but I am asking for a hand up to help us save our home.
Thank you
My name is Karen Epstein and my family has been through a rough few years. I am a special education teacher with the school district where I have been employed for 20 years. I believe in hard work. I worked my way up to a teacher from a paraprofessional, a data processor, head secretary, behavioral interventionist to an instructor. I earned my degree while being a single mom to my oldest son, Chandler, as well as working a full time and part time job. My son Chandler struggled in school but never gave up. He was my hero in my darkest hours while juggling work, school, and parenthood. On days when I didn't think I could do one more lesson or work one more shift; he was my cheerleader. Chandler has a wicked sense of humor and is unbelievably charming. It is because of him and his struggles that I became a special education teacher and advocate for my students.
I got remarried over 12 years ago to my husband, Joel. We were blessed with two more children. Keagan, 8 years old, who is an aspiring engineer and nationally ranked chess player. My daughter McKenna, 11 years old, who is already a published writer.
A few years ago my husband started to struggle with severe depression. It affected his job ability and performance. He has not been able to gain steady employment. He is actively pursuing disability.
I have three amazing kids but only two are pictured here.
Chandler is now 17 years old. He has been struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. At the time it seemed to appear all of a sudden but hindsight is 20/20. It became evident to us when he attempted to take his life three years ago. In the years that have followed he has tried to take his life on six occasions. We have rallied as a family to help my loving, funny, and caring child.
This struggle has caused a toll emotionally and financially. On his last attempt I am the one who found him unresponsive. It was the worst day of my life. As a mom, you are always the one who fixes things. I couldn't fix him and that trauma still haunts me today. He was revived, recovered, and has been getting intensive treatment that I have had to vehemently fight for from the insurance company and mental health providers.
In the months that have followed I went into "mom mode". You launch into that survival mode where your only focus is the health and well being of your babies. Due to the stress and my own autoimmune disorder I became really sick. I missed work from my multiple jobs. The loss of income avalanched into our current situation. Even with working more hours I couldn't catch up and lost the ability to pay the mortgage.
I don't believe in handouts but I am asking for a hand up to help us save our home.
Thank you
Organizer
Karen Glorsky Epstein
Organizer
Wellington, FL
