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Help Our Family of 6 Stay Afloat During a Medical Crisis

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Dear friends, family, and kind strangers,

I am reaching out with a heavy heart to share our family’s story and ask for your support during what has been the most challenging year of our lives. My name is Nia, and I am a mother of four children, ages 15, 13, 9, and 6. My husband, Dee, has been a beloved local barber for over 25 years, but in 2023, our world turned upside down when his health took a sudden and frightening turn.

In early 2023, Dee began experiencing symptoms that resembled a heart attack. After months of tests, he was diagnosed with **hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)**. This is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. It’s a lifelong condition that can cause severe symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, and even sudden cardiac arrest. Since his diagnosis, Dee has undergone multiple surgeries and spent countless days in and out of the hospital, causing a significant strain on our family’s finances and well-being.

As a self-employed barber, Dee’s business suffered tremendously. The long absences led to a loss of many clients, severely impacting our primary source of income. Despite his health challenges, Dee has always been determined to provide for his family. However, with only my income to rely on, we were forced to make difficult decisions.

This summer, we had to leave our home in search of something more affordable. After months of living in a hotel and with family, we finally saved enough to move into a new place in July. Tragically, just two weeks after settling in, our apartment was flooded by water from the unit above us. The flood destroyed most of our children’s belongings and clothing, forcing us to pack up and move again.

Amidst all this, Dee’s health took another turn for the worse. He was hospitalized again, and during that time, our family car broke down, requiring thousands of dollars in repairs we simply couldn’t afford. We resorted to using rental cars through Turo to get to work and appointments, but the costs quickly drained our remaining savings.

Dee, ever resilient, began searching for a second job to support us, despite the risks to his health. Unfortunately, his decades as a barber left him with no formal work history, resulting in countless rejections. Finally, after months of trying, he was hired by a shipping company. But the intense labor proved too much for his heart. On his fifth day of work, Thanksgiving morning, Dee was rushed to the hospital with severe stomach pains. He was diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction and narrowly avoided surgery through alternative treatment. He remains hospitalized as I write this.

If that weren’t enough, two weeks ago, our oldest daughter was also diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The weight of managing Dee’s illness while now needing to care for our daughter’s health has been overwhelming. She requires essential medical equipment, including a portable AED, a medical bracelet, and CPR classes for our family—none of which we can currently afford.

We are now at risk of losing our home and remain without reliable transportation. With only one income and mounting medical and household bills, we are in desperate need of financial assistance to make it through this crisis. With Christmas approaching, we are heartbroken that we won’t be able to provide our children with gifts this year. Right now, our only focus is keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table. I’ve been unable to take time off work because we need every dollar to stay afloat, but even with my income, we are struggling to cover rent, bills, and mounting medical expenses.Here’s how your support can help:

1. **Secure Our Housing**: Help us pay our rent so we can avoid homelessness.

2. **Transportation**: Contribute towards repairing our family car or securing a reliable vehicle.

3. **Medical Costs**: Provide funds for our daughter’s necessary medical equipment and ongoing doctor’s appointments for both Dee and her.

4. **Everyday Expenses**: Assist with covering utilities, groceries, and other basic needs until Dee’s disability application is approved and he can find a less strenuous job.

Through all of this, Dee has shown incredible strength and determination, and I am in awe of his love for our family. Our children have been so resilient, but they deserve stability and the chance to focus on being kids instead of worrying about things out of their control.

We are asking for your kindness and generosity to help us navigate this difficult time. Any amount you can give will make a significant difference in our lives. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing our story with others who might be able to help. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can offer.

With gratitude and hope,
The Brown Family
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Donations 

  • Marilyn Paul-Wright
    • $50
    • 2 mos
  • Maria Collier
    • $30
    • 2 mos
  • Kiye Rusolph
    • $50
    • 2 mos
  • Tawonia Hall
    • $15
    • 2 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $30
    • 2 mos
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Organizer

Nia Waters
Organizer
Apopka, FL

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