My name is Storm, and I am helping a single, disabled parent and their young child get through a difficult situation. 100% of the proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards paying a certified consultant who is equipped to help this parent secure a safe and stable future for herself and child following the divorce. I have tried to offer as much context as I can while protecting their identity from an ex-partner who they fear, so certain identifying details have been left out. Here is their story.

This parent has a child under the age of 10, living in Port Moody, BC. A few years ago, while the child was young, they suffered a debilitating injury from a bad accident that changed their physical ability to work certain jobs or find meaningful employment with sustainable wages or benefits. They are unable to make more than minimum wage. The partner grew hostile towards them, calling them names and berating them. Other details and abuse is left out due to identifying factors. Despite this, the parent is trying to do their best to raise the child to be a kind and compassionate person, and in this capacity they have absolutely succeeded as the child is already one of the best people I know.

Their finances are in vastly different worlds. He has a high paying job, at least $175k a year, additional jobs hidden. The parent makes minimum wage. He is a master manipulator and gaslighter, anyone living with an abusive, high-conflict spouse could probably relate. He is high-functioning, has resources for all the surveillance and legal aid he uses to destabilize parent and child's life. If their financial situations were reversed, and he was no longer in the child's life, the child would still be left with a parent who loves and cares for them, something I witness with my own eyes every time I see them, which is 2-3 times a week. However, if this parent ends up homeless the child will be forced to live with a parent who is abusive. Yes we are looking into securing the child's safety, something this consultant will help us with. But the ex is very smart, and does not leave behind trails or any proof. Living full time with the ex is not a safe option for the child. The child will also lose me as a support person since the ex won't allow the child to see me. This reality CANNOT be allowed to happen. But because he has all the money and power, we are dealing with an equation where 1+1 has to equal 5. How do we make that work?

People I trust, working with family and children professionally, have recommended an incredible divorce consultant. This person works with the low-conflict person / victim in a high-conflict separation. This person has all the knowledge and expertise for counselling, mediation, and legal advice for this parent, along with assistance drafting correspondences and setting boundaries with the ex, all of which the parent will need urgently. I will be covering for the first 4 hours of the consultant's service, but as this process is ongoing, and we are dealing with a very unstable and potentially dangerous ex, we will need ongoing support with the consultant. At a rate of $165/hr, our goal is to raise $5000 for the parent, in order to secure her long-term collaboration with a person who has the abilities to make her 1+1 situation = 5. Any additional funds will go towards securing a View of the Child Report, priced at around $1500, where a professional will sit with the child to assess their perspectives and safety living with the ex.

Those of you in the community who know me know my story. The reason I am helping this family, who came to me as absolute strangers, is because a few years ago, I suffered a debilitating illness that left me in very similar health conditions as this parent right now. In my condition, I was bedbound, barely able to eat, let alone make my own food, work, pay bills, and take care of a child. I also don't have the love and support of parents, save for my foster parents who treat me like their own. So, I see what this parent is doing. Despite their difficult health circumstances, they are going above and beyond for a child they love with their entire being. As someone who didn't have that from parents, I think that is worth fighting for. This parent inspires me, and together, parent and child light up my day whenever I see them. They need more help than I can offer at this moment, but believe me, they are worth fighting for. I'm rooting for them. The odds are stacked against them, but we are refusing to give up. Thank you. <3

Storm