Steve and I have always tried to prepare for the unexpected, but this year has brought more challenges than we could have imagined. I am a newer amputee, learning to navigate life with my right leg gone, and my husband Steve recently underwent a liver transplant. We spent over a year preparing for his surgery, saving as much as we could and hoping we had enough to get us through. Unfortunately, life had other plans.

What we didn’t anticipate were the extra expenses that have come up. Because I can’t drive, I rely on a wheelchair-accessible service to travel between our home near Clayton and the hospital in Chapel Hill. Steve’s recovery has been complicated by a broken foot, which means his time away from home has been extended by 6-8 weeks. He’s now waiting for a spot at a skilled nursing facility to continue his rehab—another cost we hadn’t planned for. To make matters worse, our heating and air conditioning system broke during the recent snow and ice event and needs to be completely replaced.

We are facing mounting medical bills, transportation costs, and immediate living expenses, all while trying to stay positive and support each other through this difficult time. Steve and I humbly ask for any help and support you can offer to get us through this challenging period. Your prayers and positive vibes have meant so much to us, but the material world is demanding more than we can manage right now. Thank you for considering helping us as we work to rebuild our lives.