My name is Darren Paul Rose, and I am a single father doing everything I can to stay active in my child’s life and keep showing up for work, even while life has become overwhelming. I lost my driver’s license because I fell behind on child support when I was not making enough to keep up. Even so, I still pay what I can, my wages are garnished, and I also give extra to my child’s mother to help make sure my child is taken care of. I am not trying to avoid my responsibilities. I am trying my best to carry them while dealing with more than I ever expected.

For the past several months, I have also been caring for my mom as her health has declined. She has been in and out of the ICU and rehabilitation centers over the last year, and I have spent a lot of time by her side without pay because I do not know how much time I have left with her. At the same time, I am dealing with my own health issues, including heart problems, and I do not have the strength to pedal long distances. Right now, I need help getting reliable transportation so I can continue getting to work. An electric bike would make it possible for me to travel the 12 miles I need without putting too much strain on my health.

I hate asking for help, and I have struggled to put this into words. I have tried reaching out before when my mom first got sick, and it was hard when the community did not respond. Still, I am trying again because I want to keep moving forward for my child, my work, and my family. Any donation, share, or support would mean more than I can say. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for helping me through this difficult season.