Fighting Vertigo, Pain & Vision Loss — Amy’s Story

Hi, my name is Lisa Kennedy and I’m writing on behalf of my sister, Amy.

If you know Amy, you know her heart. She’s a poet, a quiet encourager, and someone who’s spent years showing up for others — especially in her job supporting adults with disabilities.

But right now, we’re walking through one of the hardest seasons of our lives.

We live together and share every expense. Earlier this spring, Amy began experiencing serious health challenges — vertigo, vision issues, sinus infections, and extreme fatigue. She’s had a long medical history, including a brain tumor and surgery in 2021, and now doctors are exploring the possibility of vestibular migraines as the cause of her current symptoms. For the past two months, she’s been unable to work or drive.

This difficult stretch also comes less than a year after we lost our dad to suicide — a loss we’re still grieving even as we navigate these new challenges.

We’ve done everything we can to hold things together. I continue working full-time as a pet sitter, and we’re doing our best to stretch what we have. But with only one income and rising expenses, we’re in a place where we can’t make it through the summer without help.

We’re asking for $5,000 to cover rent, utilities, groceries, and basic needs through the end of August — possibly early September if we stretch it. This would give Amy space to focus on healing instead of survival while we wait for specialist appointments and clarity around her diagnosis. She has also started the process of filing for short-term disability.

We know it’s not easy for anyone right now. But if you’re able to give — or even share — we would be so deeply grateful.

Thank you for seeing us, for caring, and for holding us up.

With love,

Lisa & Amy Kennedy