Journey to a Healthy Life: The Castellano Family

My sister Kailey is a single mother of two (Sebashton, 5, Miah, 4) currently working part-time in Fort Worth but has been displaced due to permanent water damage in their apartment that occurred on 8/27. The status of the apartment’s actions to repair, replace, or rehome my family has been subpar and maliciously incompetent. Many pieces of furniture, appliances and personal items have been destroyed.

While the apartment was actively flooding, my sister was at the hospital with my nephew Sebashton after he had hurt himself, expressing that he wanted to end his life. It is shocking to hear that any child would not want to be alive, especially so young. This is the second time he has been admitted to psychiatric care this calendar year, and he continues to experience emotions so intense that he turns to harming himself.

Sebashton is experiencing a recurring mental health crisis, and Miah is starting to show signs of escalating emotional struggles. This stems from layered trauma that they had to navigate before they could even speak, now surfacing in alarming ways. He has been diagnosed with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, a trauma based childhood bipolar disorder, and combined type ADHD. Miah has not yet been diagnosed with anything due to her age.

Both children, Sebashton and Miah, and my sister were subject to physical and emotional abuse from Kailey’s ex-husband until July 2020, when they escaped that situation. He has been out of the picture and escaping justice since that time. Since they had stayed with me for eight weeks during the covid lockdown, they have been in and out of various homeless programs for single mothers and their children. This has caused my sister only to be able to work part-time due to the frequency of the children's needs within what would be regular school and work hours to access the shelter programs and therapy for the kids.

Unfortunately, despite assistance from myself, other family, and local programs in Fort Worth, it has become clear that what they truly need is another adult who is dedicated to co-parenting these two small children.

While my nephew is going through the outpatient program, they are staying at the Ronald McDonald House. After much discussion, my sister and I have decided it would be best that we find a home around Austin, Texas, where I, Marissa, currently reside. The children need more care than my sister can provide by herself and I am dedicated to helping my family by co-parenting these children with extraordinary needs.

We are asking for financial assistance associated with moving costs for my sister and the children and a potential deposit. We are also in need of safety and security devices to prevent self-harm in and around the home. Our goal is to provide a safe and healthy home for these two little kids in south Texas with two ‘parents’ in the home- me, Marissa, and my sister, Kailey. I wish I could do this by myself, but I am financially unprepared to create a home for a family of four.

The reason we are intending to move the family out of Fort Worth is due to safety regarding the ex-husband’s proximity. I am currently working in Austin and have found that access to local programs would greatly assist healthy development for the kids. Specifically the Child Study Center at the Dell Clinic, which doctors at his outpatient program have recommended. This will be the start of a long journey designed to give these children the best life possible. Any help, monetary or otherwise, will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance! Much love from the Castellano family.