Urgent Assistance for a Mother's Struggle

Life changes more abruptly than we can sometimes bear. In the blink of an eye, the familiar becomes foreign. Ever the optimist, though, I really believe that it is in adversity that we often discover our true strength and resilience.

In this time, key aspects of my life have changed so suddenly that is has shaken me to my core. More than that, these changes have impacted my ability to provide for my children.

And these changes have left me humbled.

Asking for help is not easy, particularly help of this kind. I have always been someone who was hyper-independent. The type who, if told she couldn’t do something, would only do it faster to prove you wrong. But this time, I have been unable to simply push myself harder to succeed. There is pain in this. Embarrassment. A sense of shame and failure. Nevertheless:

I really need your help.

The rent is past due. Bills are piling up. Medications left uncovered by insurance need filling. Dogs need feeding.

I am asking for your help to keep the roof over our heads, the lights on, bellies full.

$3, 960. I am in no way misunderstanding that incredible sum, because it is two months of survival for my children and I. $1980 for the rent and bills all currently past due and threatening to be disconnected, and the other half as a safety net for June.

$1500 for rent. $70 for Elinor and I’s cellphones- our means of communication. $60 for dog food. $50 for household necessities like trash bags, laundry detergent, etc. $80 for our internet. $140 for a medication that manages my eating disorder and is, unfortunately, not covered by insurance as a generic is not yet available. $80 for our electricity- our lights, our AC, a working refrigerator.

Please know that I am doing everything I can to fend for myself and my children. I am continuing to apply and have had promising interviews for positions in my field, but breaking through the red tape of bureaucracy is slow. Thus, I have also begun applying for jobs at various eateries and am still finding a return to bartending and waiting tables challenging. While I have the skill and personality, my ability to only work during the weekdays while Jasper is in school severely limits my hiring potential.

Any help you can provide would mean more than I could ever express. Please help.