Disabled Mom, 37 Weeks Pregnant — Help Our Family Stay Afloat

Introduction:

Hello, my name is Diamond Maye, and I’m a mother of two boys — a 5-year-old and a 1½-year-old — with another baby due any day now. I’m currently 37 weeks pregnant, disabled, and already experiencing contractions. Every day, my husband has to take four buses just to drop our 5-year-old off at school, and then I take four more buses to pick him up and bring him home. We’re exhausted and feel defeated, but we don’t have another option. My husband works hard and has been doing everything he can to hold us together, but despite his efforts, we are still in crisis.

**My Condition:**

I live with vasovagal syncope, which causes sudden fainting spells, sometimes leaving me with seizure and stroke like symptoms. I also have serious back and leg issues that make it very hard for me to walk or stand for long periods. While I still have mobility, I live in extreme pain most days. Between the fainting risk and the physical disability, I’m not able to work right now — not even from home yet, though I’ve been searching for remote jobs. This condition, combined with being heavily pregnant, makes even basic daily tasks a struggle.

**Our Story:**

In the past five years since having our first son during COVID, we’ve been homeless twice. Earlier this year, we were almost homeless again because of unsafe and hazardous housing conditions that left both of our children with lead. On top of that, my 5-year-old and I both suffer from asthma, which was made worse by the unsafe environments we’ve lived in.

We recently moved into a safer home this past week, and while we are thankful for this new start, we are struggling to prepare for the baby and cover the basic needs for our family. We have tried every avenue of help possible — applying for assistance programs, reaching out to resources, even applying for disability and SSI. I was denied temporary disability despite being very much disabled and unable to work, while I patiently wait for hear from my SSI application. My husband is working and doing his best, but we simply cannot keep up.

**Our Situation:**

* Our rent is $1,075, not including water, and overdue bills make it hard to stay afloat.

* Our electric bill is over $600 and climbing.

* Without a car, it takes my husband four buses every morning to get our son to school, and then I take four more buses in the afternoon to bring him home — even while 37 weeks pregnant, disabled, and already having contractions.

* I’ve started having contractions and will be doing this until the day I give birth.

* We’ve been through homelessness twice already, and we’re doing everything we can to prevent it from happening again.

* We still need a double stroller and newborn essentials (clothes, diapers, formula, and baby-proofing supplies).

**Why We Need Help:**

We are not asking for luxuries — only the essentials every family deserves: safe transportation, baby needs, and the ability to keep our home stable. We’ve tried every resource and program we could find, but the help we need hasn’t come. Right now, with a new baby due any day, we are at the end of our options.

**What Your Support Will Help With:**

Your donations will go directly toward:

* Reliable transportation or a used car to get to school, work, and medical appointments

* A double stroller for our 1½-year-old and newborn

* Baby essentials: diapers, formula, baby clothes, baby-proofing supplies

* Catching up on overdue utilities so we don’t lose power or heat

**Closing:**

We’ve been through homelessness twice, and we are fighting every single day to keep that from happening again. My husband and I are doing our best, but we cannot do this alone. Any donation, no matter how small, will help us prepare for our baby and keep our family safe and stable. If you cannot donate, please share our story so it can reach someone who can.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your compassion, kindness, and support.

Thank you!