Help Sophie Reunite with Her Ailing Dad

Hello everyone,

I tried to write this text for a long time, but I am not used to asking for help and I am ashamed. I am ashamed that I am weak now and that I can't cope.

I think I'd like to start by introducing myself. My name is Sophie Forostowets, I'm 23 years old, and I live in Los Angeles now with my beloved cat, which I brought from Ukraine here. We came here legally, under the program for Ukrainians. Honestly, I have always dreamed of living here; as a little girl, I was always drawn here.

When the war started in Ukraine, it happened that my dad and I were separated. He went to Ireland, and I came here. It was very hard always, the fact that I was not physically close to my dad, but we talked every day by video link for at least an hour. He always listened to my problems and supported me. Believed in me. I always had a dream to succeed and give my dad the best old age, to fulfill his dreams, to thank him for everything he did for me and what he gave me.

For 2 years of living here, this country has become home for me. I love the people who live here, the beauty of this country, the culture. I work in a jewelry store and rent a room in Hollywood. This year I wanted to take tests and go to college. I have friends here, my cat, this place has just become my home.

But unfortunately, one day my dad didn't pick up the phone. I started to worry and tried to find him. After 2 days, finally, some strangers responded and searched my dad's room and found him with a stroke. My dad lay alone with the stroke for 2 days with no help. In the hospital, he was examined; unfortunately, he started to have complications in the form of pneumonia, which is common after a stroke, which aggravated his condition. I was in touch with my father every day and at the same time tried to solve bureaucratic issues. After 10 days, I received a call from the doctor that my father was transferred to palliative care because he had no chance to survive and how would he like to be cremated or just buried?

I cannot describe to you my state then and now. Honestly, it is very hard for me to write this; I don't even know how to express my thoughts and how to tell it because this pain is impossible to describe. I always had hope and I believed in my dad. My dad promised me that he would live a long time. I literally have no one else. My dad is the only person close to me in this world.

My mom died when I was 10. My daddy has always been the best daddy to me; I'm a daddy's girl. He's not just a parent; he not only replaced my mom, he's my best friend. He's my rock; he's the person who knows the real me. He's the person who will always accept me, who will always support me, who loves me more than anything. And I love him more than anything. All that time I was with my dad on FaceTime and telling him how much I love him, I tried to say goodbye to him, but I couldn't. And after 8 days in palliative care, my dad started to improve. I managed to get through to the doctors, and they put him back on treatment. They said he would die within 2 days, but my dad didn't give up.

In fact, about my dad, he's an incredible man. The kindest man I know. All my friends love my dad; he is cheerful, positive, sees only good in everyone. My dad loves traveling and animals, especially cats. My dad is very strong; he has had a hard life, he has sacrificed a lot, but he has always tried to give me the best. He always believes in everyone, always supports everyone. There are really no words to describe who my dad is and why he's so special. But I love him madly, and I truly believe that with people like my dad, the world is a much better place.

At the end of June, I am leaving the USA with no chance to come back, thus my home. I'm leaving everything, my dreams for my studies, my friends, my goals, and I'm going to a place where I have absolutely nothing, just my sick but most loved dad. My dad will stabilize, but he will need constant support as he will most likely remain severely disabled, unfortunately. But I will do everything I can to help him maximize his rehabilitation as much as possible. At the moment, my dad is on oxygen; he can't swallow, so he is being fed through a tube; he is completely paralyzed; he can't speak. The only thing my dad can do at this point is open his eyes and blink. I know my dad understands everything and hears everything. When he sees me on the video link, his tears start to flow. I can see how hurt he is that this has happened to him and that he can see how hurt I am. I guess every parent wouldn't want that for their kids. It really hurts to see my dad so sad, and I know that this life is very hard. But I will not leave my dad, and I will try to do everything I can to make his life as comfortable as possible. To make him feel loved and comfortable.

I'm trying to hold on and be strong. To live now not only for myself but also for my dad. I am asking for help for the first two months of living in Ireland and for the tickets there. Unfortunately, I was totally unprepared for this. And I have no money set aside. I work a regular job at a jewelry store, and my salary after taxes is enough for rent, bills, food, and coffee. I've never asked for any financial aid; I've never had any benefits or food stamps, as I've always tried to do everything myself. I've always tried to be a self-sufficient girl. But looking at the reality of what is going on now, I realize that I am not coping, and I need help. This is the scariest and hardest ordeal I've ever had in my life. I'm scared, and I'm alone in this. Rereading this text, I realize that it doesn't even capture 10 percent of what I'm feeling right now. If my dad dies, I'm alone in this world. I have no one else. And I'm scared. I want to believe that my dad will be able to recover at least a little bit, and he will still see me achieve my goals and dreams. Because honestly, without my dad's presence, it's like it doesn't make sense.

Please help me if you can; even just a positive thought about me and my dad makes a big difference to me.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I wish you all the best.

With love, Sophie