I’ve gone back and forth about posting this. I’m embarrassed, overwhelmed, and exhausted—but I can’t do this alone anymore.

Since early 2023, life has been one long fight for survival.

After years of emotional and financial abuse, my ex cheated, abandoned our family, and left us in ruins. He stopped paying the mortgage, utilities, and support. He’s kept my daughter’s Social Security death benefits for over a year—money that belongs to her after losing her mother as an infant.

When he walked away, he left behind two amazing kids and a disabled mom trying to rebuild from nothing. We have been on our own since September 2024.

He already made my son and me homeless once in 2023, and now he’s done it again—only this time, he hasn’t even told me. I recently learned that the house is already in foreclosure, and our children and I will soon have no home.

He recently voluntarily quit his job, which ended our children’s private insurance. My daughter now has no insurance at all, and my son is on Medicaid. He still hasn’t told me about the foreclosure or that his actions left us without coverage. I’ve been left to pick up every broken piece while paying all utilities on my own, even though the mortgage isn’t in my name.

I’ve been disabled for nearly a decade with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective-tissue disorder that causes constant pain, joint dislocations, excruciating migraines, and debilitating chronic fatigue. Most days, I have to reset my skull onto my spine after partial dislocations just to function, and I now need a spinal fusion to prevent further damage. Every day feels like running a marathon in a body that’s breaking—but I keep going because my kids need me.

I was a stay-at-home parent for years, raising my daughter since before she turned two. She lost her biological mother as a baby, and I’ve been the only mom she’s ever known. Both of my kids are special needs and have endured trauma that no child should.

My son, 6, is autistic and needs structure and consistency. My daughter, 11, is neurodivergent and coping with complex trauma and anxiety after years of instability and separation. Both have severe nightmares and panic attacks. They attend cyber school, which means they need a stable, safe home to learn and heal.

I’ve contacted shelters, 211, and every resource I can find. There’s little available for a disabled single mom with two school-aged kids and a service dog in training.

Yes, you might see us at community events or doing fun things together—but almost everything we do is free, discounted through my son’s Medicaid card, a low cost school field trip or covered through small payment plans that make those experiences possible. Those small moments of joy are how I remind my kids that even in chaos, there can still be light.

We’ve survived mostly on my disability pay, since he only pays child support intermittently. I’ve been applying to part-time, flexible, remote jobs that won’t risk my Social Security disability benefits. I’ve researched every housing option possible. I’m willing to live just about anywhere—a studio, a one-bedroom, even an in-law suite—if it keeps my kids safe and warm.

I’ve even looked into car and tent living, which doesn’t sound appealing in a Pennsylvania winter, but I’ll make it work if I have to.

If anyone knows of storage space we could use temporarily, or if you know of an elderly person who might want live-in companionship and help in exchange for space for my small family, please reach out. I would gladly brighten someone’s days in exchange for a safe place to stay. Open to a shared space with another single mom as well.

I’m creating a GoFundMe not for sympathy, but for a hand up. Every bit of help will go toward keeping my children safe, housed, and stable while I continue fighting through disability, ongoing custody battles, and the fallout of years of abuse and financial destruction.

I am a strong, resilient fighter—but my cup is empty now. There’s nothing left to pull from.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help us, this is it.

Please read, share, donate if you can, or connect me with any housing leads, resources, or job opportunities.

And please share this post anywhere you can—Facebook, Instagram, community pages, anywhere it might reach someone who can help.

We didn’t create this situation. We’ve just been surviving inside of it.

Now I’m trying to give my kids something better—a place to rest, learn, and finally feel safe again.

My children and I are terrified of our future.

❤️

Megan, Samantha (11), Pacey (6), and Autumn (woof)