A Single Mother to Rebuild life after family tragedy

Introduction

My name is Yujiao Chang, and I am a single mother living in London.

In just one year, I lost my husband to a rare illness, fought alongside my two-year-old son through two major surgeries for a tumor diagnosis, and watched our family business collapse under the weight of tragedy.

Today, I am standing here not to ask for sympathy, but to ask for a chance — a chance to rebuild our lives through hard work, determination, and hope.

Our Story

My husband and I met in the UK, built a loving family, and together started a thriving business.

Life was simple but full: our birthdays lined up one after another in September — my son's, mine, and my husband's — like a perfect family portrait.

But in October 2023, my husband suddenly fell ill. What initially seemed like a minor infection turned out to be a rare and devastating fungal meningitis. After several misdiagnoses, he was finally admitted to Royal London Hospital, already experiencing severe neurological symptoms.

On December 21st, 2023, his heart stopped. Though doctors brought him back, he remained in a coma — a state he never woke from.

During the same time, my little boy, barely two years old, was diagnosed with a tumor and underwent two major surgeries.

As I split my days between ICU visits and hospital stays, I lost the ability to work, manage our company, or maintain any normal life.

In August 2024, after 11 long months of fighting, my husband passed away.

Why Am I Crowdfunding?

When my husband fell ill, we were right at the most critical stage of our business growth — and also the most vulnerable.

We had spent years preparing an AI technology project for children, and were in the final stages of securing a £1 million investment.

Just as we were about to succeed, my husband became gravely ill. We had no choice but to abandon the project and use our personal savings to pay outstanding supplier contracts.

At the same time, we had invested our own savings into another project. Unfortunately, before that project could launch, my husband's illness struck. Seeing my husband incapacitated, the business partner took advantage of the situation and refused to return the invested funds.

At that time, I was overwhelmed — caring for a critically ill husband and a sick child — and had no capacity to pursue legal action to recover the loss.

Since my husband's condition was so severe from October 2023 onwards, I was forced to shut down our company and had no way to generate income.

All family expenses had to be covered through savings.

Before the crisis, although we were comfortably middle-class, our monthly expenses were significant but manageable.Suddenly, everything came to a halt.

I faced a minimum of £20,000 in monthly costs, including £6,000 mortgage payments, nursery fees for our son, car insurance, household bills, corporate taxes, and payroll.

I fought to keep things afloat for 11 months but eventually fell into a vicious cycle of mounting debt.

I did sell our home and used the proceeds to repay the mortgage and settle most of the debts, as well as to prepay half a year of rent.

However, overall, we remain in a negative financial situation and have entered a dangerous downward spiral.

My husband’s and son’s illnesses did not just take away my family and my business — they left me completely bankrupt.

Current income situation:

After my husband passed away in August 2024, I spent the following months handling funeral arrangements, my son's first major medical follow-up, selling the house, and moving.I was only able to begin working again at the end of March 2025.Before then, I had absolutely no income.

Now, I have worked hard to reduce our monthly living costs to cover rent, nursery fees, and basic living expenses.

I considered transferring my son to a cheaper nursery.However, his current nursery offers extended hours until 7 PM, allowing me to maximize my work hours on weekdays.

Additionally, after witnessing his father collapse at home five times, watching him become a vegetative patient, undergoing two major surgeries himself, and enduring the trauma of moving homes — my two-year-old son has already suffered more than many adults.He developed emotional issues for a time.

It has taken enormous effort to help him stabilize emotionally.I cannot bear to subject him to the additional stress of adapting to a new nursery.His current environment knows his medical history and supports him well, so I am doing everything I can to maintain this stability.

Currently, my monthly income only barely covers his nursery costs and essential bills.

Why not apply for government benefits?

Because we are on an Entrepreneur Visa, we are not eligible for any public funds in the UK — not even Child Benefit.I have submitted an application for permanent residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and am awaiting approval.Only after that would I qualify for limited government support.

Work situation:

Previously, I worked in the creative consulting industry, successfully managing projects with good income.However, such projects require time to develop and generate revenue, which is a luxury I do not have right now.

As a single mother caring for a medically vulnerable child, I need a source of immediate cash flow and the flexibility to work from home.

Since last year, I have been sharing my personal journey on Chinese social media platforms, encouraging other single mothers to find strength.

Recently, I began livestream selling British brands to China.

I plan to focus initially on selling trusted British brands, children’s products, homeware, and lifestyle goods to the Chinese market.

This is the only business model currently available to me under my visa status (I can only operate my own company; I cannot be employed by others).

Everything is still at a very early stage, and although I have made some progress, the revenue has not yet materialized.

Meanwhile, debt repayments and daily living expenses weigh heavily on me, pushing me into severe anxiety.

Where the Funds Will Go

Basic Living Expenses

£18,000

Rent, nursery fees, utilities, food, transportation

Funeral Costs

£4,800

Payment for unpaid funeral services

Medical Expert Report (upfront)

To pursue a medical negligence claim against the hospital for my husband's misdiagnosis, I’ve secured a lawyer who is willing to work on a no win, no fee basis.However, in order to proceed, a medical expert report must be paid for upfront.

Amount: £10,000-£20000

E-commerce Business Setup （TikTok and Chinese media platform）

£25,000

Livestream equipment, stock purchases, marketing, content production

Total Target: £57,800

If the target exceeds £20,000, priority will be given to stabilizing basic life needs and launching the business as soon as possible.

How I Plan to Thank You

Donations between £300 and £500 (London area):

A £20 voucher to spend on future livestream sales on TikTok platform + thank-you gift which is complimentary professional photography session (family, newborn, birthday, or personal documentary-style photoshoot).

Donations over £500:

Full benefits above, plus priority access to exclusive livestream events or a personal thank-you video.

Once financially stable, I also plan to pay it forward — either by refunding supporters who wish or donating the funds to others in need.

Final Words

I am not just fighting for myself.

I am fighting to show my son that even after the worst storms, we can still rebuild.

That no matter how heavy life becomes, we can always rise.

I was once a successful professional woman, running my own business and building a stable life abroad.

Surviving such a devastating series of family tragedies has only made me stronger and more resilient.

I have the education, the experience, and the determination to rebuild.

I truly believe I can rise again.

Right now, what I urgently need is a financial lifeline —

a way to stop the vicious cycle my family has been trapped in,

so that I can breathe, focus, and fully devote myself to rebuilding a future for me and my son.

If you can help, you are not just supporting a mother —

You are giving a little boy a chance to grow up with hope,

and giving a woman the dignity to stand back up through her own efforts.

One day, when we are back on our feet, I hope to help others who are struggling, just as you are helping us now.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading our story.

Every share, every pound, every kind word means more than you know.

With gratitude,

Yujiao Chang