You see it on TV, in the movies, on podcasts, in documentaries. You read about it in books, blogs, and other places, but you never imagine that one of those nightmares could become your own life. As a parent, there is no greater fear than that of something happening to your child, and nothing so painful and devastating as it actually happening, especially when it is caused by someone you thought you could trust. No matter what you think to be true or try to do, you feel helpless to protect your own child, which was the very responsibility you assumed in becoming a parent to begin with.

On January 7, 2023, I discovered my life was nothing that I thought it had been or was led to believe it was. I uncovered the worst possible things, things I could not have imagined in my worst nightmares. Every day that has passed, I came to realize it was worse than what I originally uncovered, and it continues to unravel in more horrific detail. All of this is on top of dealing with other traumas for myself and my child to go through in a short time span. It is more than any child should ever endure, especially at such a young and life-altering age.

If you refer to this article, you can gain a small amount of information about our situation. My daughter is the victim mentioned in this. https://www.timesargus.com/news/local/vsp-williston-man-sexually-abused-child-in-duxbury/article_ae844da7-1cbe-5dec-9c26-c5ec16eec88a.html

Aside from the shock and fear, the hardest thing is trying to be the best parent I can while navigating it all. I wanted nothing more in life than to be a mom and be the best possible one. When my life came unglued and turned upside down, I did not know what to do. I followed the best course that I could think of to try to protect my daughter and myself. Along this path, I have learned an immense amount, both positive as well as tragically painful and frightening. I have been shocked and dismayed at the way things are done and at the significant failures of many services, systems, and people I had come to trust and believe in.

I am coming to you now, not for myself, but for my daughter. I do not like to ask for help, I do not like to feel that I cannot provide everything she or anyone else, including myself, needs on my own, but I am stuck in a position where I do not have another choice.

We have a wonderful group of friends and family as well as strangers who have been gracious in their support both emotionally and financially, but they are very limited in their resources.

Our biggest needs right now are to find money to cover my daughter's outstanding therapy expenses that have built up from the failure of the other party to follow orders of the court and agreements made. This therapy was instrumental in her ability to make the progress and heal the way she has. Unfortunately, this has become a very difficult situation involving more legal battles and the termination of her therapy, leading to some regression. There is still an outstanding bill of over $3300. I had trouble finding her a new therapist and am having trouble finding additional therapies such as equine/trauma therapy modalities that have proven very helpful to her. In today’s world, child therapists are hard to find and fewer and fewer providers are accepting insurance.

We have also been grateful to have been offered some other therapy that has been very helpful. We would greatly benefit from continuing this service and need funds for this, estimated at $1500-$2500.

Second are the extremely expensive costs of legal fees. Paying off the legal debt I had already incurred to protect myself and my daughter, along with the debt caused by the perpetrator of this all, took all the money we had hoped to use to rebuild our lives.

My daughter has also become involved in many activities that she so greatly enjoys and they not only bring her joy but truly help her in so many ways. She is so talented at all of them! Many of her coaches/groups have been very gracious in helping us with these matters, but I would like to compensate them and they cannot sustain this option for very long.

I am attempting to get myself back on my feet. My daughter still needs me and I am still recovering myself, but I am trying. I have many reasons that I cannot return to my prior work, much of which is related to this trauma, and I am seeking many avenues to establish a new career path. I have a small business I am attempting to restart and I have some lifelong goals I am trying to accomplish in a new field. I need funding to help with all of them, as I will need to either complete some sort of internship/apprenticeship or complete another degree/educational program. I also need help to get my current small business off the ground again. I am hoping that a part of whatever path I land on will include a way to help others in situations similar to ours, and to educate people in roles that can establish changes to the systems in play in this arena.

If you feel so inclined, please feel free to use other methods of fundraising you know of to help us, just please ensure that our names are not included for safety and legal reasons.

As a side note, it is my new life’s mission to change the way that these matters are handled. Any extra funds will go directly to this cause and to helping others in similar situations.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read through our story and considering any source of contribution that you may offer.