Family of 5 & Disabled Parents Homeless Flooding

My name is Sunshine Drake, It is with a heavy heart I am making this post for a person I hold very dear and her family.

The magnitude of the flooding and damage across our county is absolutely overwhelming. My heart aches for everyone impacted. Melanie Carr, her fiancé Sven Markum an honorably discharged Second Class Submariner that served in the United States Navy from 2009-2014, their three children and her disabled parents were among the many people who completely lost everything they had in the floods.

Not realizing how badly the conditions would be Melanie’s family stayed in Bellingham November 14th, just in case to keep their only vehicle out of any possible issues. Leaving behind everything, including their pets. They had no idea the devastation that was about to come.

As conditions worsened, they reached out for help to rescue her parents, as they had become trapped in their home on November 15th. Hours passed before Ken and Ethal were finally rescued by front loader tractor. It wasn’t until 9pm that they were safely reunited at a motel that evening.

Melanie and her family are the kind of people who will give anything they have to help someone in need. The one who stand up and fight for the ones who cannot fight for themselves. Honorable, brave, honest and true. They have been faced with so many hardships and challenges.

Ethel (Grandma) just beat breast cancer for the second time a couple years ago and that sent her health into a rapid decline. Many of her joints are fused together and stuck in one position and she has ulcers that cover half of both feet, shins, and calves.

Ken (grandpa) has been disabled since 2008 when a palate of groceries fell on top of him breaking parts of his neck.

Sven (Dad) has been out of work for a year when he got a nerve severely pinched in the elbow of his dominant hand.

Melanie (mom) has had severe health complications in the last few years including kidney failure and septic shock at 36 weeks pregnant with baby #2 and a traumatic birth, post partum pre eclampsia and getting hospitalized monthly in Seattle with baby #3.

Westley (oldest son 5) has ehlers danlos syndrome.

Amelia (middle child 1) is likely autistic.

And Ethan (youngest 4 months) was born premature.

Finally they recently recovered from Covid-19.

Though all these struggles they have persevered time and time again. Often too proud to ask for help. They have fought so hard and so long. Please, lets not allow them to continue to do it alone. They need help. They need hope, love and support. Please help me show them how strong of a community they live in and give them some security to get back on their feet.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and support them. Even if you cannot help financially, simply sharing this would mean the world to us.