The past four years have been extremely difficult for our family. I have had to medically retire from my employment with the federal gouvernent.

I’ve faced multiple serious health emergencies, including burnout (2021), an ankylosing spondylitis flare that left me debilitated (2022), fibromyalgia (2023), and brain surgery for epilepsy (2024). Despite these challenges, I am still standing and doing my best to care for our two children, ages 9 and 5.

Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune condition that, when a flare happens, attacks all your joints, attacks starts in your spine, and in worse cases it affects other joints, as mine did.

My inflammation markers were 10x the norm. I was in immense pain, everything was swollen and painful, I couldnt sit, stand, wash myself, get dressed, etc... From July 2022 to March 2023. Then I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which took another 9 months to somewhat control. Then I had brain surgery, for epilepsy I have had since 9 months of age. That took about a year to fully recover. During that time we also prepped out home for sale and moved close to Toronto for better job opportunities for my ex.

Unfortunately, his salary dropped by $1,500/month, and combined with the ongoing consumer proposal process we’ve been paying into since November 2024, our finances have collapsed.

Here is what we currently owe:

- Past due rent: $1,850

- Payday loans: $2,800 (to

al)

- Car payments: 5 × $331.81

- Car and home rental: $450

- Food: or of essentials and meat

We’ve already sold our home, paid off several smaller loans, and I’ve been stre

ching every dollar to cover food and household needs through services like Sezzle, Affirm, and Klarna.

We are hardworking and determined to get back on track, right now we need temporary support to stabilize our family.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story and consider our request.

With gratitude,

Sara & Marc McMillan

[email redacted]