Terrye Howze is a beacon of strength, love, and perseverance. For years, she has battled kidney disease with unwavering courage, never allowing it to overshadow her roles as a devoted mother, loving wife, and cherished friend. Her journey is a testament to the power of hope, family, and community.

Despite the challenges of kidney disease, Terrye continues to be the heart of her family. Her husband, Thaddeus, stands by her side, assisting with daily tasks—from shopping and errands to accompanying her to dialysis appointments. Their son, Kimahri, is a sweet young man on the autism spectrum, bringing unique joys and challenges to their lives. Thaddeus also contributes by writing insightful essays on topics like politics, COVID-19, and climate change, sharing his perspectives with the world.

While Terrye's resilience is unmatched, the financial burden of her medical needs is overwhelming. Dialysis treatments, medications, and related expenses have placed a significant strain on the family. Despite Thaddeus's efforts, work opportunities remain limited, making it challenging to keep up with the mounting costs.

Here's where YOU come in, family!

We are reaching out to you, our community, our family, to support Terrye during this difficult time. Your generous support will help cover:

* Dialysis and medical treatment costs

* Medications and healthcare supplies

* Transportation to and from medical appointments

* Daily living expenses and utilities

Each and every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in their lives. Your support will not only alleviate financial stress but also serve as a reminder that they are not alone in this fight, that they are loved and supported.

A note from Thaddeus Howze:

A few months ago, a friend suggested I create a GoFundMe to help manage the long-term care needs of my wife, Terrye, who has been living with renal failure and waiting for a kidney transplant for over eight years.

Terrye spent four years on at-home dialysis before transitioning to hemodialysis, which she now undergoes three times a week. With the rising cost of healthcare—and the looming threat of Medicare cuts under the current administration—I’ve taken the advice of many and launched this campaign with the kind support of actor and performer Kathryn Seabron.

As Terrye’s primary caregiver and the parent of an autistic son, Kimahri, my daily life is a full plate: ensuring Terrye’s quality of life, helping Kimahri build toward social and financial independence, and managing freelance writing and part-time work wherever I can find it.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be speaking more about the projects I’m developing, how we’re trying to adapt to the realities of this new political and economic landscape, and what we’re doing to streamline our lives for survival and growth.

To those who already support me through Patreon or Substack: thank you. Your kindness keeps a roof over our heads and my demanding housecats fed.

My goal, with your help, is to grow these projects into sustainable ventures—so I can focus fully on Kimahri’s development as a photographer and keep Terrye as healthy as possible, ready for the call that says a kidney is finally available.

Eight years is a long time to wait.

Much longer than we ever imagined.

If you’re able to help, or even just share this with someone who might, it means the world to us.

With our thanks,

Thaddeus, Terrye, DJuna and Kimahri.