In 2020, I made the difficult decision to leave my now ex-husband and start fresh with my four kids. My parents took us in and financially supported us while I went back to school and began a new career. Before that, I was a crew chief in the Air National Guard and worked on F16s, but I got out early when I married my ex-husband, giving up my rights to Veteran benefits. Today, I work full time and have moved in with my fiancé and his two kids, creating a blended family of six children. He also works full time, usually opposite times as I do. While we both work full time, we are still struggling financially as we are on the lower side of income for medical field. While we are grateful for our new beginning, the costs of furniture, painting, and appliances quickly added to our debt. Our home is in need of urgent repairs, including mold removal in the bathroom and a new roof, which is falling apart.
On top of these challenges, I am currently out on short term disability due to my mental and physical health. I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, fibromyalgia, POTS with initial orthotic hypotension, and ADD. One of my children is experiencing mental health issues and hallucinations, and while we are both attending therapy and trying to get in with a psychiatrist, I am still very overwhelmed and sometimes feel as if I’m drowning. My disability paycheck is less than my normal pay, and I often feel exhausted, short of breath, dizzy, and at risk of passing out. I am working on my mental health and trying to focus on the health, happiness, and well-being of our children.
If we could be debt free, we could focus on improving our home and creating a safer environment for our family. We need a new roof, mold removal, and a new fence eventually. I am also anxious about returning to work, as my mental health has not improved much. One day, we hope to plan a small wedding to celebrate our new life together. I am embarrassed to ask for help and would prefer people in my life not know about this, but I am grateful for any support—whether donations, words of encouragement, or advice.