My name is Shanna and I never thought I would be in this position. I’m a 45-year-old single mother raising a 13-year-old son who has lived with type one diabetes since the age of 2. Every day is a fight to manage his health, and until now, I’ve worked hard to keep our little family stable.

But everything changed suddenly. What started as a kidney stone turned into a severe infection, and now I’m in the hospital with sepsis, a life-threatening condition. I’ve been here for several days, unable to work, and the doctors say it will be days more before I can return to work.

Because of this, I’ve already lost a week’s pay, and without it, my family is in crisis. I will need surgery which means more loss of income. My mother — a retired, disabled senior citizen — also lives with us. She’s on a fixed income and cannot cover all the bills on her own. Together, we usually manage. But with me in the hospital and unable to earn a paycheck, we’re suddenly facing the possibility of eviction, losing electricity or water, and falling apart financially.

This is more than just about bills. This is about keeping a safe, stable home for my son while he manages a serious chronic condition, and making sure my mother — who depends on my help as much as I depend on hers — isn’t left carrying a burden too heavy for her to bear.

I am humbly asking for help during this time. Every dollar will go toward keeping our household together: rent, utilities, and the essentials that will keep my son and mother safe while I fight to recover.

If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you cannot, please share our story so that others might see it. Your kindness could be the difference that allows us to hold on through this storm.

With deep gratitude,
Shanna