A mother in crisis: no support, no options, only hope

I’m a single mother, and I’m here now because I’ve run out of options. I have three beautiful souls depending on me.

My two children have a rare and complex autoimmune brain inflammation disorder called PANDAS/PANS. There is no standard treatment. In my country, there is no accessible care for it. For the past 10 years, I’ve done everything in my power to heal them. I've found help elsewhere, continue to advocate for my kids, and do my best to keep up with their care - conventional, alternative, integrative, lifestyle. None of this is covered, and the costs are relentless. I’m drowning.

Our beloved dog, Tom, recently completed cancer treatment, but he continues to suffer from other health issues. I can no longer afford veterinary care, despite the deep love and responsibility I feel for him. He is family.

As for me, my health has steadily declined under the weight of it all. I live with multiple chronic conditions, including chronic pain, and after years of carrying everything alone, I’ve reached complete burnout. I’m my children’s anchor and yet I’m barely able to keep myself afloat. Some days I can’t even see a way forward. I am depleted and functioning minimally. It has become physically and mentally impossible to keep showing up at the level needed to sustain us.

I have no family support. No partner. No financial safety net. I’ve reached out locally for help but nothing came. I’ve been going deeper into debt just trying to survive. And now I’m facing the reality of not being able to afford food or medical care next month. I’m barely managing to pay rent. Please don’t see this as a moment of weakness rather as a cry for survival.

If you’re able to help, even in a small way, your support will go directly toward:

Ongoing care for my children (necessary medical tests, treatments, special diets, etc.).

Food and basic living expenses.

Urgent veterinary care.

My own critical health needs (diagnostics, treatment, and recovery support).

And, if possible, helping me begin to climb out of the debt that’s built up while I’ve been doing my best to hold everything together.

This appeal is anonymous because asking for help like this is deeply humbling - I’m a private person, and I don’t wish to lay my life bare in front of the world. I hope you can understand the sensitivity of these circumstances. I will gladly share details in private if needed.

If you’ve ever been in a dark place with no one to turn to, you’ll understand. Your support could be our lifeline. It could be what helps us make it through. However you choose to help - be it with a blessing, a share, or a donation - we are deeply and eternally grateful.