This is very difficult to do. I have always prided myself on taking care of my family on my own. I have a wonderful daughter and three beautiful grandchildren. I also know most of us have known hard times now and then, but I’d like to share my story over the past 6 years and hope that you will find it in your heart to help me/us in this, our darkest hour.

I had been dealing with multiple surgeries for cancer, and that situation continued even as we all pulled up stakes and moved in with my ex-husband (my daughter’s father) as he was diagnosed with advanced dementia (Alzheimer’s). “We” included my mom, who my daughter had already started taking care of due to her declining health. She agreed to take care of both her dad and my mom (her grandmother) during the day, and because I was working, I took the night shifts. Caregiving is a very difficult job, as some folks know, and there is no money in it, yet the options are few. During the three years before she passed, my mom lost both of her legs above the knee due to poor circulation. I ended up being forced into retirement in 2020. My ex passed in 2022 and my mom in 2023. After their deaths, my daughter got 3 jobs to try to catch up with finances. I looked for work but didn’t find one until 2024. By then, because of the strain on her body caregiving for two adults, her back and neck were damaged. I had gotten a fairly good job, but 6 weeks after I started, the company evolved, and my department was restructured, and my position was eliminated. Since then, I have not been able to find suitable employment. My daughter, till now, has not been able to get her back and neck addressed. Doctors have come and gone, lots of hoops to jump through. After more than a year trying to get her medical done, she lost all three jobs. She cannot physically work until her issues are fixed; however, for some reason, the doctors are hesitant to label her ‘disabled’. We have sold all we can. Bills are not getting paid, including the rent, and we are within days of being evicted.

The stress is unreal. Just this past Wednesday, my daughter spent 4 days in the hospital with an intestinal blockage, and if it is not resolved on its own soon, they want to operate. I fell at home the day she went into the emergency room, and an x-ray showed no breaks (Amen); however, it revealed a very large hiatal hernia close to my heart that requires surgery.

The help we desperately need will help us offset the medical bills, allow us to catch up on bills that are at this point going to collection, and hopefully not lose the roof over all our heads. The kids are stressed all the time too, and their dads are not able to offer assistance.

To be honest, I am terrified of what will happen if no one decides we are worthy. I pray you will decide to help and support us with a hand up, not a handout! May I be so bold as to thank you in advance!