My name is Addy, and I’m asking for help because I’ve spent years providing constant, around-the-clock care for two medically fragile family members, and in that time, I’ve lost my health, my stability, and any real ability to support myself.

The work is nonstop and emotionally exhausting, and even though I’ve tried to seek financial help or outside support, I’ve never been able to get it, which has left me doing everything alone with no income and no break.

Over the past few years, I’ve also lost a significant amount of weight from stress and not having time or resources to take care of my own needs, and because I have a seizure disorder, I can’t take antidepressants, which has made coping even harder.

I’ve tried reaching out for help online before, but I’ve been called a liar, dismissed, or treated like a burden, and in those moments of shame or panic, I’ve deleted everything and withdrawn because I felt like I was bothering people or asking for too much. I’m being honest in saying that may happen again because my emotional state is fragile, but I’m trying my best to push past that fear and trust that there are still kind people out there who understand what it’s like to be overwhelmed and stuck.

I’m not looking for anything extravagant — I just want to get by, stabilize my health, and eventually get out of this situation so I can rebuild my life and become independent again. Any help, even the smallest amount or simply sharing this, would mean more to me than I can put into words. I’m also transitioning; I don’t need any support for that. I’m lucky enough to have a wonderful clinic that helps with that, but I know that if I show a picture of myself, someone will make assumptions. Christmas is coming up too and I’d like to be able to at least get something for my son as well. I don’t think a little help is too much too ask for but in my experience no one really wants to help anymore. I hope I’m wrong which is why I created this gofundme.