Sunday, April 6th, 2025, was one of the hardest days of my life. My son, who is nonverbal and has special needs, had a major meltdown and severely injured himself by banging his head—something he does often due to self-injurious behaviors. This time, it was worse than usual. He split his head open and had to be rushed to the ER.

Later that same day, after we got home, he had another meltdown that resulted in our second ambulance ride and ER visit. We ended up staying overnight for observation, which was incredibly difficult on both of us.

As if that weren’t enough, I found out that my ex-husband—who struggles with alcoholism—spent all of our income tax refund. That money was supposed to cover three months of overdue mortgage payments. He had already abandoned us months ago, leaving me with the full responsibility of the mortgage and all the utility bills. Now, my son and I are facing the very real threat of losing our home. I’m heartbroken and terrified.

We’re also behind on car and insurance payments. I rely on our car to get my son to school, medical appointments, calming car rides, and to run basic errands. Without it, our day-to-day life becomes even more impossible.

I’ve been a full-time caregiver for my son for over 10 years. I’ve recently applied to several jobs, but as a single mother and caretaker, it's been incredibly hard to find something that works for our situation.

Your donation will help us catch up on our mortgage and avoid eviction, keep our utilities from being shut off, and get our car payments and insurance back on track. These are the most urgent needs that will allow us to stay in our home, maintain access to transportation, and provide a safe, stable environment for my son.

I’m reaching out because we need help. Any amount, no matter how small, would mean the world to us. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing our story.

I will continue to fight for my son and do everything I can to keep us safe, stable, and together. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for supporting us during this unimaginable time.

With gratitude,

Shannon