Hello, my name is Shannon Risley and I truly appreciate you taking a moment to read my story. Choosing to start a GoFundMe has been a very difficult decision for me because I don't typically like asking anyone for help and I definitely don't like putting my struggles out there for other's to see, but unfortunately this has been my last resort.

For the past few months, I have been constantly getting sick, in and out of the hospitals and seeing different doctors. It's taken its toll on my family, especially my 11-year-old son, Oliver. I was recently hospitalized and diagnosed with a heart condition called Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy which is a heart condition that develops in response to an intense physical or emotional experience. In this condition, the heart's main pumping chamber changes shape, affecting the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. I'm in constant pain and exhausted all day, every day making it almost impossible to get out of bed. I’m prone to fainting and at times have been hospitalized for temperatures as low as 94.2 causing hypothermia treatments. At most, this has been absolutely devastating not being able to play or interact physically with my son. It makes it difficult to breathe and I have constant aches and pains, especially in my chest. I haven't been able to work in about a month and the bills have become overwhelming. In addition, we just found out our rent will begin to increase beginning September 1st. I'm also going to have to begin paying for my medical bills and hospital stay and I just don’t know what to do.

Not only am I having to deal with my heart condition and financial instabilities, a couple weeks before being admitted into the hospital, my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee completely gave up on me once again, leaving me with no car. At this point, It truly doesn't matter if I get this car repaired, selling it for parts, or if it means having to purchase something cheap, I just need something that works so I can be there for my son so he doesn’t have to worry about not being able to be somewhere or worry that I won’t be there for him and that’s the worst part of this whole situation is that I feel so helpless and hopeless. The stress of all of this is worsening my condition exponentially.

I have constant anxiety since my son just started Carlsbad Pop Warner football which has been his dream for years. He absolutely LOVES football and playing for a team. He has football practice every weekday and games every Saturday, which at times are not in Carlsbad and can be pretty far. He also begins his first year of middle school at Calavera Middle School on August 21st, and I'm terrified I won't be able to get him there on time if we must solely rely on Uber. The constant stress is debilitating because I have no way of getting to work or a way of driving my son to his sports obligations other than Uber which is costing me a fortune. I struggle daily wondering how I'm going to be able to get him to the places he needs to be. I keep a smile and a positive attitude for him but I’m terrified and I absolutely I hate that he must suffer for my misfortunes. I'm genuinely scared for the first time that I won't be able to provide for my son and I'm truly at a loss.

I'm desperate to have a life again without having the constant stress and anxiety of not being able to make ends meet. I can handle the effects of my condition but the constant stress and anxiety of not being there for my son far exceeds the physical pain. I want to be the happy, active mom he's always known without the constant stress of not being able to be there for my family. I want him to have the life he deserves.

I have sold everything I can to afford the bills and car repairs, but it hasn't come close to what is needed. If you decide to help, I can assure you all the proceeds will go to rent, bills (medical & household), and car repairs. This would be utterly life changing for Oliver and me. He doesn't deserve to stress about not being able to make it to school or football practice, and instead should be living the exciting, stress-free life a child deserves! I don't want the constant worry about bills and/or being evicted and instead want to be able to focus on Oliver.

Again, I truly appreciate you taking this time to read my story. Whether I receive anything or not, I just want you to know how much I appreciate you even taking the time to read this. Please share my story with others so I can have the best chance of helping my family.

Thank you so much!

Shannon Risley