My name is Stephanie, and this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write. I’m a mother first, and everything I do is for my kids — their safety, their health, and their future. But right now, I am out of options and I’m scared. I need help.

A few weeks ago, while taking my son to get an MRI for his EPS tumor, my car’s engine light came on. I tried to stay calm for him, even though my heart was racing. I prayed I’d make it there, and thankfully I did. But this Thanksgiving, the car completely gave out — it wouldn’t even start. We were stranded. I stayed home because I had no way to get anywhere. My daughter had to get a ride from her friend’s mom just to make it to her brother’s house for Thanksgiving. I felt helpless. As a mom, it breaks something inside you when you can’t even get your kids where they need to be.

I don’t have family who helps. I don’t have a support system. I rely on my car for everything — work, school, emergencies, and especially getting my son to his medical appointments. Without it, we’re stuck. My son has PTSD from witnessing a drunk driver almost take my life when he was just 7, and getting him to his doctors is critical. I also need to get to my own medical appointments and get back to working part-time. My daughter needs to get to school safely, but there are no sidewalks where we live, so a car is our only option.

I’m in college working toward my bachelor’s degree so we can move out of Ohio and build a safer, healthier life. I’m trying to break generational cycles and give my kids everything I never had. But now I’m watching everything pile up because I can’t even get to class or to work. And my son’s health can’t wait.

I never thought I’d be here asking strangers for help, but I’m doing this for my kids… because they deserve better than being stuck and scared with no way to get where they need to go. If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you can’t, even sharing this helps more than you know. Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for caring.