<div>This is really hard for me to share, and honestly, I feel embarrassed even writing this — but I need to do what’s best for myself and my family.

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<div>My name is Alyssa. Thirty-five years ago, I sustained a spinal cord injury. I’ve been paralyzed my entire life, dependent on life-support equipment 24/7, unable to walk, and have used a wheelchair for as long as I can remember. Despite these challenges, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to live as full and “normal” a life as possible — though always with limitations most people never see.

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<div>I met my husband, Jimmy, we got married, and together we’ve been blessed with two beautiful, healthy children. Asking for help is something I never imagined I’d have to do… but here we are.

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<div>We’re at a crossroads. Our family is growing, and we’re quickly outgrowing our current home — yet finding a house that meets my medical and accessibility needs feels impossible.

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<div>We have three options:

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<div>1️⃣ Buy an older home and completely renovate it for accessibility

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<div>This would require widened doorways, ramps, roll-in showers, safe flooring, space for medical equipment, and major modifications to support my life-support systems. The cost of these renovations alone is more than we could ever afford.

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<div>2️⃣ Purchase a newer home that already has an accessible layout

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<div>Unfortunately, in New York, homes that meet these needs are far beyond our financial reach.

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<div>3️⃣ Extrend on an existing home

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<div>Leaving New York isn’t an option. All of my medical benefits, specialists, equipment providers, and care teams are here — and just as importantly, so is our family and support system. We were born and raised here, and the love and help from our friends and family are essential to my health and our children’s well-being.

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<div>This is where we need your help.

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<div>If you’re able to donate, share this post, or simply help us spread the word, it would mean everything to our family. Every contribution — no matter the size — brings us one step closer to a safe, accessible home where I can care for my health and raise my children without constant barriers.

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<div>If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this post. Visibility is just as powerful, and you never know who it may reach. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us during this incredibly vulnerable time.

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<div>I’ve shared my life on this page since 2018. You’ve watched us grow from boyfriend and girlfriend, to engaged, to married, to welcoming two beautiful children — and becoming a family of four.

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<div>We promise to take you along this journey with us. We’ll share every step, and we’ll save and document all the accommodations, modifications, and accessible features in our home so others can learn from our experience too.

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<div>Thank you for being part of our journey and for standing with us now when we need it most.

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Pinar De Carvalho

Wendy DePinto

Claressa Slaughter

A Home for Alyssa and Her Family

Still $292,969 to go. Help us build momentum.