I’m Tracy, and I never thought I’d be here.

Two years ago, I never imagined my life would look like this. Not at all.

I am a mother of five children, all with special needs, trying to survive, rebuild, and protect my family after years of trauma, loss, abuse, and unimaginable hardship.

Leaving my marriage was not a simple decision. It came after years of domestic violence, fear, and serious safety concerns involving my children. DCFS ultimately removed my three youngest children from the care of my soon-to-be ex-husband due to substantiated concerns of abuse and neglect, and we now have protection orders in place. Since then, I have carried the full weight of keeping our family together while trying to navigate the court system almost entirely alone.

I am raising:

• A 15-year-old daughter with autism, ADHD, PTSD, asthma, anorexia history, and multiple suicide attempts.

• A 12-year-old with osteogenesis imperfecta- brittle bone disease, ADHD, and severe anxiety. She can break bones at any time and her care depends upon my ability to get her to her infusion treatments.

• A 7-year-old son with ADHD and apraxia of speech.

• Two adopted children, a boy- age 6, and a girl- age 7 who are both nonverbal autistic and high-needs, with prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol that continue to impact their development daily.

I myself suffer from several chronic autoimmune disorders like pots, h-eds, cfs, fibromyalgia and complex ptsd. And more. During all of this, I managed to graduate from esthetics school, and as soon as I am able to work, I’m doing so.

Every day is therapy appointments, school meetings, psychiatric care, medication management, behavioral support, crisis prevention, and constant supervision. My oldest cannot safely be left alone due to her mental health history, and my youngest children require around-the-clock care.

I love my children more than anything in this world, but the reality is that caring for five high-needs children has made maintaining traditional full-time employment nearly impossible — especially while also fighting to keep them safe and stable through ongoing court proceedings, and interviews with detectives in our old town. SA allegations have been investigated.

I’ve applied for food stamps, and Medicaid. Thus far, my children are currently covered. I have also applied to obtain incontinence supplies, as my youngest son and daughter currently are not fully potty trained due to their special needs. I’ve utilized food pantries in the mean time. I’m awaiting my Medicaid approval along with the food stamps.

And while trying to survive all of this, life continued to hit us relentlessly.

In the past two years:

• We experienced homelessness. For 10 months we bounced around, and EVERYTHING I had, went to obtaining a mobile home for us. That was our Christmas. I was able to get my children a 3 bedroom home, beds, and clothes. Their schools & church provided gifts from Santa, and I’m forever grateful for that.

• I lost my van in a serious car accident- dislocating my shoulder and several ribs.

• I suffered a severe eye ulcer that threatened my vision.

• I faced a terrifying breast cancer scare.

• My father’s cancer returned and he’s had several surgeries and treatments.

• We endured devastating family losses, 9 of them, including the deaths of my sister and my godson. Those hit the hardest. My sister was only 40. I aided in her medical care for the last month of her life. She passed due to complications of liver failure and wet brain, due to her nearly 20 years of addiction. My 19 year old Godson- the first baby I ever adored, loved, and cared for… passed away from an accidental fentanyl overdose his first time using illicit substances.

The grief alone has been overwhelming. But I never had the luxury of falling apart because my children still needed me every single day. I have to show up, because I’m all they have.

Right now, I am trying desperately to:

• Pay for legal representation and court costs.

• Catch up on bills and basic living expenses.

• Maintain stable housing and transportation for my children.

• Continue therapies, medical care, and educational support.

• Keep our family safe and together.

Neither of the children’s fathers are providing financial support, and the legal process has drained what little resources I had left. My 2 oldest daughters father, kicked them out after my then 14 year old daughter attempted to overdose. And unfortunately, my own family, aside from my father, will not help because my adopted son and daughter are, technically speaking, my soon to be ex-husbands biological nephew and niece. I’ve had them since May of 2021. They were removed from their biological parents due to drugs, abuse, and neglect. Fast forward to July 2025, my ex had them removed from his care for abuse and neglect….during the same month my sister was actively in hospice care. I’ve not had the chance to fully grieve. I’m legally responsible for them, and despite them being adopted, they are my family. My kids. And they are so amazingly wonderful- they are no different than their siblings. We are a discombobulated family.

As hard as this is to write, I am asking for help.

If you donate, share, pray, or even simply take the time to read our story — thank you. Truly. Every dollar helps give my children stability, safety, and a chance to heal after years of chaos and trauma.

I don’t want luxury. I’d say my biggest need for myself is extreme dental work needing done- but that’s upwards of $10,000, and while it’s a big concern, it’s not my number one priority. I believe with as many cavities, root canals, and broken teeth- dentures may be the better option. Periodontal EDS is the cause. But keeping my kids safe & away from their abuser….or still have their visits be supervised is my main concern. If there’s a provider out there that would take monthly payments- I’d love to get anything done with my teeth- they hurt.

I just want the ability to breathe again… and the ability to keep fighting for my children. Attorney fees are unimaginably high, but my soon to be ex has been ruthless, and has stolen over $9000 in subsidy funds, is in arrears over $4000, and nothing can be done until our June 4th court date. I want to ensure the safety of all of my amazing children…they deserve the whole world. Thank you for helping my family.