Hello, my name is Teri, and I am reaching out on behalf of my family—my mother, Yolanda (55y/o); my grandmother, Thelma (76y/o); and my brother, Mike (36y/o). We are facing overwhelming challenges, and I am asking for help to provide my grandmother with the care and supplies she needs, while also easing the heavy burden my mother has carried for so long.

Our Story

My grandmother, Thelma, was diagnosed with a rare and terminal brain disease called

corticobasal degeneration (also known as corticobasal syndrome). This condition causes areas of the brain to shrink over time, leading to the loss of nerve cells. For her, this means extreme difficulty with movement—she cannot safely get up, sit down, walk, or use the bathroom on her own. She is at constant risk of falling and requires assistance at all times unless she is sleeping.

Before her illness, my grandmother loved simple joys like daily walks through her neighborhood for exercise, going to Church and cooking meals for our family. Now, she cannot even get out of bed on her own, and it has been heartbreaking to watch her lose the independence she once enjoyed.

My mother Yolanda, is her primary caregiver. When my mom is at work, nurse aides must come to the house to care for my grandmother, as she cannot be left alone. On top of that, my mom is also the caretaker for my brother, Mike. Who in 2023, had contracted pneumonia that went untreated, which turned into sepsis. He died temporarily and suffered severe brain damage due to the lack of oxygen to his brain during that time. He has been in a vegetative state ever since and now requires long-term nursing home care.

For the past two years, my mother has carried this weight on her shoulders while still working full-time to keep everything together. Recently, she even suffered a stroke herself from the strain. While she is grateful to have survived with only mild aftereffects, it has made it harder for her to continue her role as a caretaker without additional help.

The Financial Strain

The biggest expense is my grandmother’s nurse aides, which cost $820 per week—that’s over $3,280 a month and more than $39,000 per year. This cost alone depleted the savings from selling my grandmother’s home, and now it comes directly from my mother’s paycheck. On top of this, she pays for:

- My grandmother’s medical supplies (Depends, pads, creams, medications, walkers, wheelchairs,

personal care items)

- Household bills, car insurance, and other living expenses

- And some costs related to my brother’s care as far as his housing in the nursing home

My mom’s days often start as early as 4 or 6 a.m. when she leaves for work. After working a full shift until 5 p.m., she comes home to care for my grandmother or drives all the way to Jackson, Georgia, to visit my brother in the nursing home. Some nights she doesn’t get home until 11 p.m., only to turn around and wake up a few hours later for work again. This exhausting cycle has taken a toll on her health, especially since her recent stroke.

It has become impossible to keep up, and without financial help, my mother risks losing the aide support that my grandmother depends on for her safety and dignity.

How Donations Will Help

Your generosity will go directly toward:

- Covering the weekly costs of nurse aides for my grandmother

- Paying for her essential medical and personal care supplies

- Allowing my mother the relief she desperately needs so she can also focus on her own health and recovery.

I want to thank anyone who has taken the time to read our story. Any donation—no matter the

amount—would mean so much to my family. Even a single dollar makes a difference. My mother is the kind of person who never asks for help, even when she needs it most, and I know that now more than ever, she needs relief.

If you cannot donate, simply sharing this story would help us tremendously by reaching more people. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support and kindness during this incredibly difficult time.