My stepmother, Erica—known to many as Mrs. Moody—began her career as a paraprofessional at Bellows Falls Union High School in the late 1990s. In the early 2000s, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree and obtained her teaching certification. For decades, she has been a constant and caring presence in the Bellows Falls school community, working in special education. She has poured her time, energy, and heart into her students. Erica genuinely cares about each of them, encouraging them to do their best and helping them reach their goals. She has made a lasting impact on countless lives in our community.

Now, the person who has spent her life helping others is in need of help herself.

Erica has been battling kidney disease for several years, and it has now progressed to the point where dialysis is necessary. She has undergone multiple attempts to place access ports, but each one has failed.

Her most recent surgery was especially invasive and involved a large incision in her leg. Tragically, that incision became severely infected, resulting in her hospitalization in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She developed sepsis, and the infection was so serious that surgeons had to reopen the wound and remove infected tissue. She is now undergoing specialized treatment to bring the infection under control. This treatment will keep her out of work for many weeks, as the wound must remain open and is being treated with a vacuum system.

This extended illness has devastated her financially. She has exhausted all of her sick time, and doctors have determined that she will be unable to work for quite some time. Her bills are falling behind, and she fears losing her apartment and her belongings while she slowly recovers in the hospital.

It is heartbreaking to see her so frightened—frightened about whether she will fully recover and whether she will have a home in which to heal. Her family is doing everything we can and will continue to do so, but the burden is overwhelming.

After giving so much of herself to her students and the Bellows Falls community for decades, I hope that many hands can come together to help lighten her load.

Any donation toward her living expenses and care will help ease the strain during this incredibly difficult time. She needs to be able to focus on healing so she can return home to her cat and spend time with her family, including me and her grandson.

Please consider supporting someone who has spent her life supporting others.