My name is Timmie, and this year has been the hardest of my life. In January, I lost my dad to cancer. He was not only my father but my best friend and my rock. We talked every day, planned trips together, and supported each other through everything. Losing him to cancer was devastating, and I struggled to pay for his funeral since he had no insurance. I never truly got the chance to mourn him, because the very next day, my own health took a sudden and terrifying turn.


I became critically ill and collapsed. My body had become septic, and I needed emergency surgery. During the operation, I died on the table but was brought back. I spent days in a coma, and when I woke up, I suffered another life-threatening complication that required a second emergency surgery. I was hospitalized for over six months, fighting for my life and trying to recover. As a teacher and my dad’s only child, I had no one else to lean on. Being out of work for so long meant I fell behind on rent, utilities, and medical bills, with no support system to help me through.


I was fired from my teaching job in June because of my extended absence, but after a long fight, I was able to get my job back. I’m set to return in September, but I haven’t received any pay and am still limited in what I can do because of my condition. I’ve always been strong and believed in working for what I have, but right now, I’m at my lowest and scared of losing everything I’ve worked for. Any support would mean the world to me and help me get back on my feet until I can take over again. Thank you for reading my story and for any help you can give.