Hello, my name is David. My wife, Mariia, and I have always tried to face life's challenges on our own, but we have reached a point where we simply cannot do it alone anymore.

In June 2022, Mariia was hospitalized with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), which rapidly progressed into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)—one of the rarest and most life-threatening medical conditions in the world. Although she survived, the disease left her with permanent, life-altering complications that continue to affect every aspect of her life.

Today, Mariia lives with constant, debilitating pain. She suffers from severe sensitivity to light and touch, vision problems, mobility limitations, and other long-term complications. Mariia is unable to leave our home and is only able to move between our bedroom and the bathroom with my assistance. Because even small amounts of light can trigger severe pain, we keep our home darkened throughout the day. To help manage her pain, she often spends hours in the shower multiple times a day, as it is one of the few things that provides her with temporary relief. Despite everything she has endured, she continues to fight with incredible courage and determination.

As Mariia's condition worsened, I made the decision to become her full-time caregiver. In November 2024, I stepped away from my career in HVAC so I could be there for her every day. Eventually, I lost the job I had worked at for six years because her medical needs required my full-time care. Since then, I have found part-time work, but balancing employment with caregiving has made it impossible to earn enough to keep up with our monthly expenses.

As a result, we have fallen behind on our rent and have struggled to cover utilities, groceries, transportation, and other essential living expenses. We have exhausted our savings and sought assistance through charities, community organizations, and local assistance programs. We have done everything we can to remain independent, but despite our best efforts, we are still fighting to keep a stable home while I continue caring for Mariia.

The funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward:

Catching up on overdue rent and

keeping a roof over our heads.

Paying utilities and other essential household bills.

Purchasing groceries and other household necessities.

Covering transportation and medical-related expenses.

Giving me the ability to continue caring for Mariia while maintaining part-time employment.

Asking for help is never easy, but we have reached a point where we cannot overcome this challenge on our own. Every donation, no matter the amount, will help relieve some of the financial burden that has come with caring for Mariia and will allow us to focus on what matters most—her health and well-being.

If you are unable to donate, we completely understand. Sharing our story with your friends, family, or community would mean just as much and would help us reach others who may be able to help.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story. Your kindness, generosity, encouragement, and prayers mean more to us than words can express.

With sincere gratitude,

David & Mariia Browne