Give Angela and Leo a Chance at a Better Life
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Greetings!!! My name is Angela. I'd like to begin by first reiterating that I'm uncomfortable even having to do this as I've never been one to ask for help. However, this time the curveball life has thrown at me is so far out in left field I'm afraid it was my last and only hope. I am a 49-year-old grandmother of 4 who has unfortunately been on disability since 2005 due to an injury to my neck and back from a fall down cement stairs back in 2001. I was 2 weeks from graduating from college with my business management and marketing degree that I worked extremely hard for while being a single mother to my two very young children. It was heartbreaking and a setback after all that hard work, but in life, you have to roll with the punches. After the fall, I have undergone three lumbar spinal fusions as well as two cervical fusions. Believe me, if I could work I sure would, I didn't work so hard for a degree that I was never able to even explore.
In 2016, my daughter gave birth to my first grandchild. A beautiful baby boy whom she named Leonardo. She was only 16 years old at the time so I knew it was going to be hard for her to raise him on her own so my plan was to help her and the father for the first couple of years until they finished school, matured a little more and were financially able to support him.
Unfortunately, due to their very young ages, maturity levels at the time and some of the negative life choices they made, they never were able to care for Leo so I have raised him since birth.
Unfortunately, my daughter then fell into depression and began struggling and not making the greatest life choices for herself and has struggled ever since.
My grandson is the light of my life, I have been taking care of him since birth and wouldn't change it for the world. He is now 8 years old and just started 3rd grade. He has been diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. He is smart as a whip, was reading by age 3 and loves to play his video games. He struggles socially and I care for him at about an age 2 to 3-year-old level. He's amazing and I wouldn't change a thing about him. I obtained legal guardianship of him since he was 3, but have been raising him since birth.
Recently we have been faced with another challenge. I have been in a serious relationship with a chronic functioning alcoholic for over the past 11 + years, believing it was for life, however it turns out that because we never married my conributions to the relationship are unfortunatley unrecognized by him.
He has choosen to retire a few years early which is absolutely understandable as he has worked his entire life and his health is declining rather quickly, especially now since the drinking has increased considerably since retirement. He has chosen Coors Light over Leo and I. It saddens me deeply and truly breaks my heart because he has been a positive influence in Leo's life other than the excessive alcoholism, but it has gotten to the point where it is no longer a safe environment for him to be in, and I simply refuse to compete with the silver bullet any longer, I deserve to be number 1 not number 2.
I am on a fixed income of $1,095.00 a month social security permanent disability making it impossible for us to find a place to live when rent alone is more than my income. That's why I'm trying to fund so much, so I can buy something small (mobile home), a roof over our heads, a safe place to call home. I want to be able to give him the life he deserves and I really am trying my hardest. Being homeless would be devastating to both of us, but if that's what it comes down to I'm sure we will find a way to adapt, after all my whole life has been all about adapting, I'm just getting old and tired..lol. I do have medical records and other information to back up my story if need be.
Please share my link, i have faith that there are still enough good hearted folks out there who wouldnt mind contributing $1, $5 or even $10 because maybe they also have once been faced with a dire situation where they felt like there was no hope. We have faith that there are kind hearted folks out there who wouldn't mind knowing every little bit would help. I know it sounds like an enormous amount of money however rent for a 2 bedroom around here is $1,200.00 on the low end and again my disability is $1,095 a month. So I'm trying to buy a trailer house so I can afford the 400-500$ a month lot rent plus utilities. I wholeheartedly feel this is the only way we will be able to get by. I'm not trying to buy a house, or anything like that. Something practical for Leo and I. Somewhere safe to continue to raise him. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could help spread the word for me too, by sharing the link with their friends on their Facebook pages, Snapchat, Twitter, email, etc.
- My whole life I have given when presented with an opportunity to give, because that is the way i was raised. I have also taught my children and grandchildren the importance of giving, because all the good you put into the universe always comes back to you!
I'm embarrassed to even have to ask for help but we are really facing a dire situation and need help.
It breaks my heart to see him killing himself with his drinking but I can't change him, all I can do is make sure I am looking out for my grandson and I and making sure he has a safe roof over his head and bright future ahead of him.
Thanks so much in advance, have a blessed day ☺️
We also have a cash app $lelolelograda
Sincerely,
Caring, loving, grandmother of an incredibly amazing autistic grandson
Angela Dittmer
*Donations can be anonymous *
Organizer
Angela Dittmer
Organizer
Rapid City, SD