Our story begins more than 18 years ago. Twenty two weeks into a normal pregnancy, things became not so normal. Due to unknown reasons, my pregnancy became complicated and on October 30, 1997, Grace was born weighing one pound, three ounces. Grace has a good life but she is blind and has several developmental and emotional delays. Her struggles, along with other devastating medical and life events, have taken a severe emotional and financial toll on us. Life took at 180 and I went from a single mom raising four children on my own to, over the last seven years losing our hpme of 15 years, spending a bit of time homeless, re-establishing a home with help from a community organization, losing our belonings held in storage because we simply couldn't pay. Through it all, my goal has been to raise my children, tune out a lot of other noise, face forward and move ahead. It's been humbling to go from a person who always was the one to help others to a person who now needs help from others. My older children have taken on more responsiblity and have good attitudes and understand why life is different. Grace attends the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and has higher needs and one of the most important things we need is a working car. I don't need anything fancy - I just need something dependable that will get her to and from extra-curricular functions and doctor appointments. I also need it for my doctor appointments. I've been deemed as "medically frail" and my goal is also to work to get my health own back so I can be here to guide and facilitate Grace and her independence. Since there is no public transportation in our area, we have to depend on a car to get us from place to place. For us, this is our greatest need and if you can help us reach our goal to get a car, you will be paying it forward in a way that will allow us to be independent and help us stay on our feet. We've not been knocked down yet and we won't be knocked down now. We're just experiencing another bump that we will oversome. We are currently without a car altogether and while we have friends that can help us out, they can't always be there when we need them to be because they have lives, too. This season as you contemplate your giving, I ask you to consider giving to help us. I used to head up the campaigns for giving and now I find myself in the embarassing and humbling position of asking. Any amount will help. This is a true need and I would be so appreciative to you forever for helping us. I've always wanted to help those with whom I have a bond and I promise I will continue to pay it forward in whatever ways I can to honor your generosity.