This is my mom, Irma. She is the woman who taught me so many lessons in my life. She has proven to me that with consistency, hard work, and dedication, I can make my life whatever I want it to be. She has taught me that you can persevere over any and all hardships that life throws at you.

Around 2 years ago, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. My dad has cared for her 24/7 since then. My siblings and I support them as best we can.

Over the last two years, she has changed... a lot. Slowly, well not to us really, her ability to do every day things has gone. I don't know if you've ever seen a person change from Alzheimer's; it's a lot. I remember crying the day she told me she had no clue who my oldest son was. She can barely walk now; it's more like a slow, painful shuffle. She doesn't speak much anymore. She smiles, nods her head, cries, has facial expressions, and eats. These are all things we're grateful for.

Not long ago, her doctors told us she has excess cerebral fluid. Enough that a surgery is needed. A shunt, they called it, to remove fluid from her head and relieve the pressure she must be feeling. It could wait a bit, but the sooner it gets done, the better. Unfortunately, its cost is something we didn't anticipate, and we just don't have that kind of money. We know that over time her condition will worsen, but we want to give her the best life we can while she's with us.

So now I am asking for help from everyone. I'm asking in her name since she can no longer ask herself. Not that I think she would, as my mom has always been the type to want to fix things on her own. She's one hell of a woman.

If you find it in your heart to donate, please do so. All funds will go directly to her surgery and aftercare.

We appreciate the help, thoughts, and prayers you may send her way.

She means the world to us. So from the bottom of our hearts, and the depths of our souls:

Thank you.