Hi, my name is Maxie Anderson, and my mother's name is Lisa. I’m 18 years old. I live with my mom, who is 56. After many years of having MS, her diagnosis has now advanced to Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS). She is also recovering from a serious case of sepsis, which nearly took her life last year. Since February, we’ve been without a working vehicle — and it’s made our already difficult situation feel impossible. The repairs needed to fix our car, exceed its worth, unfortunately.

My mom’s condition makes it extremely dangerous for her to be out in the heat, as it exacerbates her condition and she has limited access that is urgent for medical care, and She has weekly infusions, physical therapy, lab work, frequent MRIs, CT scans, additional diagnostic tests, medication and frequent appointments with her team of doctors, etc., to manage both her MS and the long-term effects of sepsis. But without reasonably affordable transportation options that must be used several times a week, she’s often left without the care she urgently needs.

We’re on a very limited income and utilizing Ubers, buses, or taxis aren’t financially feasible. We're barely keeping up with living expenses, and utilities as it is, due to emergencies, and the medical expenses continue to pile up.

On top of that, my mom and I are survivors of domestic abuse. My dad was addicted to opioids, as well as an alcoholic. Escaping took all our strength, and we've worked so hard to rebuild our lives. But right now, we’re stuck — physically and emotionally.

I live with severe depression and anxiety, and being unable go to therapy has intensified these feelings. I miss simple things, like breathing fresh air, or even just seeing a new view. The isolation is overwhelming.

We’re asking for financial assistance, through donations, to have enough to purchase a used vehicle, so we can get back to the medical care that is desperately needed and to live life again and reconnect with the world outside our walls, in addition to assistance and support to rebuild and get back on track financially.

This isn’t about luxury — it’s about survival, safety, and dignity.

Any donation, no matter the size, means the world to us. Even just sharing our story helps more than you know.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for being part of our hope.

— Maxie Anderson