Hi everyone,

I’m writing on behalf of my sister, Danielle — a devoted mother of five, a talented wedding and engagement photographer, a dedicated homesteader and homeschooling mom, and one of the strongest women I know.

A couple nights ago, Danielle suffered a horrific accident while cooking dinner for her children. The handle on a pot of boiling water broke, and the scalding water spilled all over her arm and feet. Despite being in agonizing pain, Danielle drove herself to the hospital — only to be told her burns were too severe to be treated there. So, in unimaginable pain, she drove herself even farther to another hospital where she was finally admitted and treated.

She has suffered second- and third-degree burns on her arms and feet (almost her entire right/ dominant arm , is completely burned,) undergone minor surgery, and is now in the midst of a long and painful recovery. She can’t bend her arm, can barely walk, and is in excruciating pain every day. She is a superhero — so strong, so determined — but she’s also terrified. She’s weary about what the next few months will look like: the medical procedures she’ll need, how she’ll continue raising her children, managing her homestead, and coping with the complete loss of income during her busiest season as a photographer.

Danielle and her husband Mark work tirelessly to provide for their family, she is also the backbone of a small business that supports them. Summer is her peak season — weddings, engagements, family sessions — and she’s now unable to work at all. She also pays over $12,000 a year for insurance that covers only 70% of her medical bills. The financial impact is devastating.

What’s more, Danielle is the type of person who never asks for help. She’s a humble Christian woman who gives freely, serves others joyfully, and never seeks attention or praise. She shows up for everyone — and now, I’m asking for us to show up for her.

If you’re able to give anything — even $1, $5, $20, $50, or a quarter — please know that every single dollar will go directly toward her medical bills, ongoing care, and supporting her family during this incredibly difficult time.

And if you aren’t in a place to donate right now, we completely understand. You can still make a huge impact by sharing this fundraiser on your social media and with your community. Spreading the word truly helps more than you know.

Thank you for taking the time to read Danielle’s story. Please keep her in your prayers. She has a long road ahead, and she’s going to need help from those who believe in kindness, faith, and lifting each other up.

With deep gratitude,

Danielle’s Sissy and biggest fan,

Paige Pettyjohn