I am a Spelman student and took the last year off of school to have my daughter with the intention of returning in the fall of 2019. I’m 21 years old, a single mom to 4.5 month old baby Wilhelmina. Early in my pregnancy, I left an abusive relationship, moved home and soon found out that my daughter had a tumor called a lymphangioma. My pregnancy was very rough and my life was completely changed by my circumstances. I went to doctors two hours from home every week to monitor her safe delivery with the high risk nature of my pregnancy. I was very depressed and stressed. Working opportunities trickled while I was pregnant and slammed to a halt when Mina was born due to her lymphangioma. Her cyst will be removed via major surgery on JUNE 13th, in the first of many surgeries that are required for her condition. Mina’s cyst can become inflamed anytime she has a source of infection in her body. Because of this, we spent half of March in the hospital in two separate visits. She’s at risk to be hospitalized at any time and the source of infection and inflammation could come from anything as small as trimming her nails. She has been healthy since March, but the risk looms over and I constantly worry and stay ready should I have to rush her to the hospital again. Without the opportunity to work, I choose to breastfeed Mina and I attribute much of her health to that. I did so much research and I am positive that I made the absolute best decision when I took on this difficult task. Some days, especially early on, it felt and still feels like it’s the only thing that I can do of any importance and the only success that I can boast as of now. But I want this to change. I have dreams of returning to Spelman as soon as I can but in the meantime I’m struggling to get by. For a few months postpartum I’ve been eligible for Temporary Assistance and my case which helped me with $225 per month, was recently closed. That money and the money my very selfless father helps me with is how I have survived and that has been providing for us. It hasn’t been enough, as I cut so many corners to make it stretch. Now I’ve lost that assistance, at least temporarily until the issue is resolved and Mina has not been approved for SSI for her disability. I have no money or means of income otherwise. Anything that I receive will be used with much intention, I’m a frugal person and I always make do however I can with what I have. I have dreamt of just getting ~$300 extra out of nowhere and using that money to start my own method of income online so that I can be a mom that is working from home and self-sufficiently provide for us. I never wanted to be in the position that I feel so trapped, but this is my deck that I was dealt and I want nothing more than to catch a break. I do my best to be a present, devoted, and loving mother so my baby will grow to be the intelligent, well-rounded, healthy, and strong individual that she is meant to be. She proves everyone wrong with every milestone she meets and everything she does. This situation has at least gifted me the opportunity to be hands-on and give my baby all my time and energy. I recently put aside my shame and began candidly sharing my raw struggles with motherhood at this time in my life via social media and many people have witnessed the highs and many lows of my last trip around the sun. I appreciate everyone who has bore witness, offered supportive words and encouragement, and shared in loving my child and me. You’ve given me the courage to put aside my shame and ask for help. As of right now, you or someone you know could greatly help change our circumstances. I thank you for your time and any help, Much love and peace Mina’s Mommy