My name is Skyler, and many of you probably know me as the Executive Director of Human Defense Initiative, where I have served pregnant moms and families in need for more than eight years. While I have helped launch countless fundraisers for others over the years, I never imagined I would have to create this one for myself and my family. We have two major needs that have put us in a dire financial position. I know our story is a little long, but I sincerely ask that you please take a few minutes to read it.

NEED ONE:

At the beginning of August, I developed an infection and went to the primary care doctor after developing high blood pressure, high resting heart rate, pain, and fever, where I was prescribed antibiotics. I went home thinking I would recover, but unfortunately, I was wrong. Despite the medication I was prescribed, over the next few days, my symptoms spiraled out of control, and I only became more ill. Left with no other option, I went to the hospital.

When I got to the ER, my resting heart rate was 130, my blood pressure was extremely high, and I felt absolutely horrible. Upon being evaluated, I was admitted for borderline sepsis, along with a high heart rate and high white blood cell count. I was hospitalized for a week where I received IV antibiotics and a host of other medications before finally being sent home to finish my recovery.

As you can imagine, this left me with a huge medical bill since I have no insurance, and I know people will say I should. However, outside of my volunteer work with HDI, for which I do not receive a salary, I work in marketing and am self-employed, and unfortunately, after paying my regular bills and living expenses, I simply cannot afford the monthly insurance premiums, and I do not qualify for state assistance. I want to make clear that I accept responsibility for my hospital bills, will be setting up a payment plan with the hospital, and am NOT fundraising for those costs.

However, I am over six weeks out from when I originally fell ill, and although the initial infection is gone, I am still suffering from high diastolic blood pressure and high resting heart rate with no answers for why this is continuing. To make matters worse, shortly after I came home from the hospital, one of my main marketing clients informed me that they were letting me go, causing me to lose a significant source of income at the worst possible time.

At this point, I need to be evaluated by a cardiologist and undergo testing to determine what is happening and the next steps to get my health under control so I am trying to raise funds for the testing I need.

Asking for help is not easy for me. I don't believe I am any more deserving than anyone else struggling financially or dealing with health issues. My parents and I live paycheck to paycheck covering our regular expenses like many families, and we don't have the extra funds for this unexpected medical need. I just want to feel better and be healthy again so I can continue supporting myself and my family while continuing to serve others.

NEED TWO:

At the same time that I have been dealing with my health, my stepfather has been facing health struggles of his own. For the last several months, he has been dealing with kidney issues and health problems from working in the extreme Texas heat. Because of this, he has been paying for IV treatments to help keep himself out of the hospital, while still continuing to work in the blistering heat to provide for our family. He is 69 years old and still works outside in extreme weather conditions every day.

We are a hardworking family that, like so many others, makes just enough to pay our bills and get through each month. With everything that has happened and trying to stay afloat, my stepfather’s work truck payments have sadly fallen behind, and we are now at risk of losing the vehicle he relies on to make a living. We have defaulted on our loan contract and have to bring the truck current with all over due amount paid by September 15th or it will be repossessed. In order to save the work truck from repossession so that my stepfather can continue to work and keep our lives going, we have to pay the defaulted amount of $3,015.24, which includes all late payments and late fees/penalties before that date.

Unfortunately, if we do not fundraise enough for the defaulted amount for the truck, my stepfather will lose his work truck on September 16th, and if this happens, due to the late payments on the truck and current missing payments, he will not be able to acquire another truck with these hits on his credit. Therefore, he will not have a work vehicle to do his job, we will lose our home, and our entire lives will be turned upside down.

Despite everything happening, we are continuing to work, sick or not, and use what we earn to pay our regular monthly expenses. We aren't asking others to take care of our everyday bills. We are only asking for help getting through two expenses that we cannot overcome on our own right now.

The funds we receive from the fundraiser will bring the truck current and go to medical testing at the cardiologist, so the total we are asking for is $6,500.

SUMMARY:

Our goal is $6,500. Of that:

• $3,015.24 will bring the work truck current and prevent repossession.

• The remaining funds will go toward my cardiology appointments, heart testing, and related self-pay medical expenses.

NOTES:

If you are able to give, no amount is too small. Every $5, $10, $20, or share gets us one step closer to keeping my stepfather working and helping me get the medical answers I need.

If God puts it on your heart to give, we would be incredibly grateful. Even if you can't give, we ask for your prayers during this trying time and would be just as thankful if you would share our story and pray.

Thank you to everyone who gives, shares, or prays for us. We are also praying for every family facing their own health or financial struggles right now. Your kindness means more to us than you know.