Hello, I'm Adam. I wish I could say I was the keeper of the secrets of Castle Grayskull and champion of Eternia—but the truth is, I’m just an ordinary father who’s been through some extraordinary things. I've spent most of my life trying to be everything I never had growing up, especially a father. Now, I have to admit I've been carrying more than I know how and I've been holding it for too long and I need help.
I grew up in a home marked by addiction, trauma, and severe neglect. I tried to outwork, outmaneuver, and out-think that by rising above it to build an identity around being present, supportive, and steady for my family. Since the pandemic began in 2020, our family has been tested in ways I couldn’t have prepared for. All I can say is that it's taken a toll, leaving me with my hands out, not knowing what to do or where to turn. My family has faced serious mental health challenges. My son is AuDHD, high functioning all through school only to reach college to discover through a manic break that he deals with Bipolar Disorder as well. Not only has watching his struggle been heartbreaking, but it has come with multiple suicide attempts as he couldn't face it and wanted to give up. While at the same time, my daughter navigates high school with PTSD after an assault left her traumatized.
All of these things happening in a short time span pushed me past what I could carry and I had my own full breakdown and am now living with C-PTSD. I am currently on Social Security Disability and have been doing my best to rebuild stability day by day, for myself and for my family. Therapy, medication, interventions—we do the work that needs to be done, with our eyes open, together. Recently, I was served with a lawsuit over an old credit card debt that slipped through the cracks while we were dealing with everything else. I've already taken the responsible steps to seek pro bono legal aid, but the financial pressure of this combined with our medical and mental health needs has become more than I can manage on my own. I’m not looking for a way out—I’m trying to stay standing. I've been trying to rebuild my life with intention. To create something meaningful out of all of this suffering that could truly help others, but more importantly, to be a steady, present father and husband in a time when my family needs that more than ever.
This fundraiser is about creating breathing room for us. So that we can navigate these challenges with some stability, some grace, and maybe a little dignity; moving forward instead of falling further behind. If you're able to contribute, I am deeply grateful. If not, sharing this or simply taking the time to read it means more than you know. Thank you for seeing me in this moment.
Adam
I grew up in a home marked by addiction, trauma, and severe neglect. I tried to outwork, outmaneuver, and out-think that by rising above it to build an identity around being present, supportive, and steady for my family. Since the pandemic began in 2020, our family has been tested in ways I couldn’t have prepared for. All I can say is that it's taken a toll, leaving me with my hands out, not knowing what to do or where to turn. My family has faced serious mental health challenges. My son is AuDHD, high functioning all through school only to reach college to discover through a manic break that he deals with Bipolar Disorder as well. Not only has watching his struggle been heartbreaking, but it has come with multiple suicide attempts as he couldn't face it and wanted to give up. While at the same time, my daughter navigates high school with PTSD after an assault left her traumatized.
All of these things happening in a short time span pushed me past what I could carry and I had my own full breakdown and am now living with C-PTSD. I am currently on Social Security Disability and have been doing my best to rebuild stability day by day, for myself and for my family. Therapy, medication, interventions—we do the work that needs to be done, with our eyes open, together. Recently, I was served with a lawsuit over an old credit card debt that slipped through the cracks while we were dealing with everything else. I've already taken the responsible steps to seek pro bono legal aid, but the financial pressure of this combined with our medical and mental health needs has become more than I can manage on my own. I’m not looking for a way out—I’m trying to stay standing. I've been trying to rebuild my life with intention. To create something meaningful out of all of this suffering that could truly help others, but more importantly, to be a steady, present father and husband in a time when my family needs that more than ever.
This fundraiser is about creating breathing room for us. So that we can navigate these challenges with some stability, some grace, and maybe a little dignity; moving forward instead of falling further behind. If you're able to contribute, I am deeply grateful. If not, sharing this or simply taking the time to read it means more than you know. Thank you for seeing me in this moment.
Adam