Help Heather's Family Overcome Hardship

Dear friends and family, my name is Heather and I am mom to an amazing daughter and her husband, and grandmother of their two beautiful grandkids - the light of my life!

Making the decision to create a GoFundMe page was not an easy one. Asking for help of any kind is hard, but what’s even harder is watching my daughter and her young family experience incredible hardship. In less than six months time, they have endured more than any young couple starting out should ever have to go through. In what started out as an exciting and joyous occasion - relocating home to Colorado and welcoming a baby girl - quickly turned into what has become a continuous struggle.

Less than 24 hours after her daughter was born, my daughter underwent major surgery. The transition home and the weeks that followed were nothing short of painful and exhausting. With my son in law now being the sole provider, she had the overwhelming task of caring for a newborn and toddler while still in active recovery. Shortly thereafter, their only vehicle at that time broke down and was deemed a total mechanical loss. Thankfully they had the support of family and friends to see them through, offering rides, running errands, and childcare respite until they could secure a reliable vehicle.

They were able to find another car and things started to look up, until my sweet granddaughter (only six weeks old) became critically ill and was airlifted to Children’s Hospital, where she remained for three nights. As illness spread across our entire family, keeping my son in law from being able to work, we hoped and prayed for some relief. It seemed they were past the worst of it all when both kids developed RSV a short time later. Thankfully, my grandson had only minor symptoms, but once again, my granddaughter was back at Children’s, fighting for her life. After an agonizing week spent watching her struggle, she was finally able to return home, on oxygen.

In the week that followed, my grandson was diagnosed with asthma and received further testing after struggling to meet age-appropriate milestones. This ultimately led to a diagnosis of non-verbal autism, and has since started working with an OT and SLP at an early intervention center, five days per week, 40 minutes away. Most recently, thanks to a decrease in state funding and program reductions, his services have also been reduced.

During this time, he was also referred to an eye specialist for trouble with his eyes (lazy eye). After prescription glasses failed to correct the issue, mom and dad were informed he will need to undergo sedation for a medical procedure to hopefully correct his vision. This was yesterday. Today, less than six hours ago, my daughter’s replacement car broke down, leaving her stranded with both kids in tow. It has since been towed to a shop but there is no telling how much it will cost to repair. Two cars, both inoperable, both with car loans. Fortunately, my son in law was recently able to replace his car, giving them limited transportation in the interim, though not a long-term solution.

Just as one would think, ‘it can’t possibly get any worse’…. Once again, thanks to a decrease in state funding and program reductions, they also recently learned the food assistance they have been receiving was drastically cut by more than 60%, effective April 1st. Ironic isn’t it? I thought to myself, this is a cruel joke, but it is all too real.

These kids have endured all of this with more strength and perseverance than anyone I know. It has taken a significant toll on their health and challenged their relationship greatly. Tonight, they are mentally and emotionally exhausted and have lost hope for their future.

It is such a difficult time for so many of us in this climate and any one of these events are enough to set a person back months. We are beyond grateful for the support our families have tried to offer but sadly, it is more than we can handle alone.

Tonight, I am putting aside my pride and fear of being vulnerable to ask for your help. Please consider donating any amount to help provide some stability for this young family of mine, my O’hana. All donations will be presented to my daughter and son in law to help cover the cost of car repairs, monthly bills, medical expenses, food, and other necessities for their family of four.

Mahalo (thank you) from my heart.