<div>Please read with care.

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<div>Dear Friends, Family, and Community,

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<div>As I write this, I feel both hesitant and deeply compelled. For a long time, I have stayed mostly silent about the reality I’ve been living in, hoping that by taking the high road and striving for peace, my co-parent and I would eventually find common ground. My hope was always that we could work together for the well-being of our son, Cedar.

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<div>I’d like to highlight that I have never tried to revoke his legal rights as our son’s father. Even though his dynamic has added great challenges to parenting, I have always wanted my son to have a relationship and deep connection with his father, as I know firsthand the importance of that.

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<div>Unfortunately, despite my pure intentions, this has not been the outcome in my co-parenting. Instead, I have found myself increasingly disempowered, taken advantage of in the court system, and at risk of losing rights that any loving and capable mother should never have to fight for — not in reflection of the quality of mothering I am providing for our son Cedar, but in reflection of control and power.

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<div>The truth is that the court system is not usually just. Power follows money, and outcomes reflect who can afford strong legal representation. As many of you know, I have been walking this journey alone, unrepresented, standing in court not as a lawyer, but as a mother. A good mother. A mother who has devoted herself to caring for her child with great love and diligence.

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<div>It is heartbreaking to witness how some parents use these battles to shift the focus away from what truly matters — the well-being of the child — and instead spiral into power struggles, control, and competitiveness. The toll is immense: on time, on energy, on resources, and most of all, on children who inevitably feel both the seen and unseen impacts of long, drawn-out court conflict.

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<div>I often think of what could be possible if all of this time and energy weren’t poured into fighting, but into nurturing Cedar and his precious childhood. Parenting itself is already a great undertaking, and how we spend our energy during these formative years profoundly shapes a child’s emotional development and sense of self. Picking and choosing your battles is a must.

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<div>I am proud of how far I have come on my own. But I also see now that my hopeful and trusting nature allowed this situation to continue longer than it should have. I had hope that all of this was just a temporary emotional reaction, as I truly believed that we shared the value of keeping our child out of the system. But this has now gone on for years, and eventually I learned the difference between words and actions — these actions confirmed that we do not share the same values. My hopefulness kept me in denial. And now I have to stand up before it’s too late. I can no longer ignore the reality: my co-parent is committed to values and choices that are harmful to both Cedar and me, and without proper legal representation, we risk losing even more.

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<div>The opposing side comes at me with aggression, intimidation, and distorted versions of the truth. Without an attorney, I am left vulnerable in a system that does not take the time to see the full picture of the unrepresented party. Too often, the side with representation is favored. Unfortunately, money equals power in this system.

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<div>To make matters even more difficult, in our most recent court hearing my co-parent and his lawyer pressed the judge to order that I pay his lawyer fees — a paradox in itself, as I would not be facing such injustice if I had the means to be properly represented. Also, by no means are you required to obtain a lawyer; it is a personal choice that he made. I continue to have my rights pillaged in unfair ways simply because I am unrepresented.

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<div>What makes this especially difficult is that many of these situations are common co-parenting dynamics that arise between parents. In most families, these challenges are worked through without one parent incriminating the other in court. Yet in my case, these normal struggles have been weaponized against me, further destabilizing Cedar’s life and our path forward.

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<div>This is why I am reaching out now. For Cedar, and for myself, it has become undeniably clear: <strong>I need legal representation to protect our stability and future.</strong>

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<div>As a mother, my deepest wish is to set Cedar up for success — emotionally, spiritually, and practically. Part of that means showing him the importance of standing in our power, even when it is difficult. By supporting me in this effort, you are not only helping me fight for fairness in the courtroom, but also directly impacting Cedar’s life and well-being.

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<div><strong>I am humbly seeking financial assistance to secure the necessary legal representation.</strong> Whether you are a close friend, a family member, or a friend of a friend moved by our story, your support will make a direct and meaningful impact in our lives. No contribution is too small, and every gesture of solidarity brings us closer to the stability Cedar and I deserve. To begin this process, I will need $5,000 initially to retain a lawyer and get the process moving forward.

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<div>From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with us in this fight.

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<div>With a Mother’s love and deep humility,

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<div>Laura Gordon

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Jennah Rose

Travis ECKERT

Justice for Laura and Cedar

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