I never imagined we’d be in a position where we’d need to ask for this kind of help, but the last few months have brought more than our family can absorb on our own.

Earlier this year, I was let go from my job after disclosing that I had a hernia. Not long after that, I required somewhat emergent surgery, which has since altered my ability to work in that field going forward. That loss of income happened suddenly, and at a time when we had no runway to fall back on.

Since then, we’ve been surviving on whatever we could scrape together through odd jobs, while putting basic necessities like food on credit cards just to get by. We’ve been doing everything we can to stay afloat, but we were already stretched thin when we were hit with something much bigger.

Our 10-year-old daughter, Liz, was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease, caused by a 25mm tumor on her pituitary gland. She is currently at Children’s Hospital with my wife, preparing for brain surgery and an extended recovery. Our focus right now has to be on keeping her safe, supported, and healing.

Between my surgery, Liz’s diagnosis, and the time of year, there is no realistic way for us to generate meaningful income between now and mid-January. I’m going to have to change fields entirely, but that transition simply can’t happen while we’re in the middle of medical recovery and the holidays.

What we’re asking for help with is simple but urgent:

Keeping our bills paid

Putting food on the table

Paying down some of the credit card balances we’ve had to rely on just to survive

We’ve already had some friends and family step in to help us where they could, and we’re incredibly grateful for that. But to avoid completely crashing financially before I’m able to get back to work after the first of the year, we need a larger, short-term bridge.

This isn’t a long-term ask. It’s help getting through a moment that came all at once and all too fast. If you’re able to donate or share this page, please know it truly makes a difference for our family right now. And if you can’t, we appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and support just the same.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for helping us through one of the hardest periods we’ve ever faced.

-Jeff Parker & Family