My name is Desmond, and I’m turning 32 this month. I was adopted at birth and grew up never knowing who my biological family was. When I turned 18, I started searching for my biological parents, but because it was a closed adoption, every door I tried to open led nowhere.

Last year, everything changed. Through 23andMe, my oldest biological brother found me. He introduced me to my siblings and, for the first time in my life, I had real answers, my biological family. I also learned that my biological mother is still alive. We have never met in person yet, but now we may finally have the chance.

At the same time, my health has recently taken a serious turn. I began having seizures in 2019, and this year they became life-threatening. In May, I experienced cluster seizures and during an episode my body stopped breathing on my own. I was placed on a ventilator for 24 hours in the ICU. My MRI scan shows significant scarring on my brain, affecting certain things in my brain such as my memory, and at times, my speech. As of August, I was officially declared disabled, and my neurologist is preparing me for brain surgery, possibly early next year.

Before surgery, before months of recovery, before the uncertainty of what comes next, my biggest dream is to meet my biological mother and finally stand with all of my siblings together for the first time in my life. One of my older sisters is getting married soon, and this trip would allow me not only to attend her wedding, but to meet the family I’ve been searching for since childhood.

Because I am disabled and unable to work, I need your help covering travel expenses: flights, hotel, pet-sitting for my dog, and basic costs for the trip. Any additional funds will help with living costs/bills as I prepare for brain surgery as my recovery will require several months away from work, leaving me without any source of income. My partner is supporting herself, me, and our kids, and we simply cannot afford this on our own.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet my mother, be with my siblings, and experience a piece of my life that I have always dreamed of. Your support means more than I can express, and any amount donated will help.

If you choose to help, you will not just be helping with a trip:

You will be helping make a lifelong dream come true.

You will be helping me meet my bio family for the first time before I face one of the biggest medical battles of my life.

You will be giving me something I have waited 32 years for: a moment of belonging.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping me reach my family... finally.

(For anyone who prefers to contribute directly, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by message.)