This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write, but our family is facing a medical and financial crisis, and we need your support to get through it. My name is Alex Manuel, and I live in Phoenix with my loving nesting partner and our amazing 8-year-old daughter.

The last month has been a whirlwind of unexpected challenges that have completely upended our lives. It all started with debilitating abdominal and back pain that eventually landed me in the emergency room. After a long and painful journey, I was diagnosed with May-Thurner Syndrome, a rare condition that requires surgery. I just had a challenging stent surgery, and the recovery has been incredibly difficult, with unbearable pain that has made it impossible for me to function. During my ER visit, they also discovered a nodule on my lung, which is another health issue I'll have to follow up on.

These health issues hit at the worst possible time. My partner was recently laid off from his job due to government budget cuts, and he's been working tirelessly to find a new position, but without success so far. Before all this happened, I was excited to start a new job as a coach and tutor for neurodivergent kids, a career I'm incredibly passionate about. Unfortunately, my health has put a hard stop on those plans, and I have no idea when I'll be well enough to begin.

The combination of my illness and my partner's job loss has created an immense financial strain. We have fallen behind on our mortgage, which is past due at $1,850, and we have other pressing bills totaling an additional $2,000. It feels incredibly shameful to ask for help, but we've exhausted all other options and have no choice but to reach out to our community.

We are so incredibly grateful for the love and support we've already received. We've decided to start this GoFundMe with a goal of $4,000 to help us catch up on our mortgage and other essential bills. Reaching this goal will give us the breathing room we need to focus on my recovery and allow my partner to continue his job search without the constant stress of losing our home.

Any amount you can contribute, no matter how small, would mean the world to us. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing our story. Every share brings us closer to our goal and helps us find hope in this difficult time.

Thank you for being part of our village. Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.

With deepest gratitude,

Alex Manuel and Family