Looking Beyond Divorce with Medical Complexities
Donation protected
I am a 40-year-old single mother to three children and two dogs (Harper and Bentley), a friend to many, a medical and educational advocate, "case manager", fighter, "nurse", "social worker" . . . and all around life juggler.
My life calling to be a mother to three very different children started over 16 years ago. Miscarriages and the loss that comes with those times two, a premature birth, emergency c-section, navigating the NICU, receiving a diagnosis or not, and what that means for your child, you, your other children, your past, present and future.
Overnight I went from working as an administrative assistant in a residential appraisal office to an across-the-board healthcare, special education, mental health advocate with a burning desire to do right by my children. The moment my child received a diagnosis, I received my life's mission- become their expert
Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Anxiety, Depression, G-tubes, Tracheostomy, Vision Impairment, Developmental Delays, Intellectual Disabilities, Vagus Nerve Stimulators, High Functioning Autism in a girl, Severe ADHD, Mood Disorder, Suicidal Ideation leading to emergency room Suicide Assessments, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Compulsive Behaviors, Emotional Dysregulation, Abandonment and Rejection are only a handful of the complexities I deal with regarding my children daily.
Caregiver Burnout? I don't have time. I have been the only present parent in their lives for the past 337 days and counting.
Braden has complex, chronic medical needs and has since birth.
Rylee is my neurotypical teenager who loves her friends, sports, and makeup.
Macee is my unique, original, brave, free spirit.
All three children are very intelligent in their own ways and are my most prized possessions.
I am not asking the world to take on the entire burden of my divorce or my son or daughter's medical expenses; but I could really use some help.
My divorce has been prolonged for almost two years.
Unfortunately, this was a learn as you go process and things didn't go as smoothly as anyone would have imagined.
This divorce continues to be a dark cloud that hangs over this house, regardless of our smiling faces, resilience, and our genuine, spunky personalities.
I would like to get this resolved so we can move on with our lives.
Most recently I had three high profile attorneys review my divorce decree; the feedback was, after investing more than $30,000 to two separate law firms: filing a restraining order, Rule 11 temporary orders, a mediated settlement agreement, co-parenting classes and going to divorce/family court twice, my "final divorce decree is trash".
I have at least four more court hearings in my immediate future to settle ongoing disputes, begin tackling multiple enforcement issues regarding the children and the estate, as well as resolving the negligence of the two previous attorneys’.
This is the third beginning of what we want to be the end.
The current process to obtain a divorce is already exceptionally difficult in normal circumstance and financially impossible for most. When you consider two children with exceptional medical/mental needs, therapies, treatments, and interventions, you can easily conclude the costs can be insurmountable and unpredictable in both cases.
I haven't worked outside the home in 15 1/2 years. To meet the varying needs of my children's medical, mental, emotional, and physical stability while working at the same time, post-divorce, is difficult. With rising gas prices, food costs . . . the list goes on.
I am seeking financial support to help us close one chapter and move forward.
Warrior moms like me are willing and able to provide an insight into what it is like and what it takes to ensure our children thrive.
Life is short.
They say: "if you don't like something, change it"
I'm trying. Every day.
I keep moving forward because my children need me.
I might be hanging on by a thread, but I'm here.
I'm a very proud mom put in a very special situation with fantastic kids.
Any assistance in providing my family with this privilege is greatly appreciated!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7BbrbmajZ4
My life calling to be a mother to three very different children started over 16 years ago. Miscarriages and the loss that comes with those times two, a premature birth, emergency c-section, navigating the NICU, receiving a diagnosis or not, and what that means for your child, you, your other children, your past, present and future.
Overnight I went from working as an administrative assistant in a residential appraisal office to an across-the-board healthcare, special education, mental health advocate with a burning desire to do right by my children. The moment my child received a diagnosis, I received my life's mission- become their expert
Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Anxiety, Depression, G-tubes, Tracheostomy, Vision Impairment, Developmental Delays, Intellectual Disabilities, Vagus Nerve Stimulators, High Functioning Autism in a girl, Severe ADHD, Mood Disorder, Suicidal Ideation leading to emergency room Suicide Assessments, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Compulsive Behaviors, Emotional Dysregulation, Abandonment and Rejection are only a handful of the complexities I deal with regarding my children daily.
Caregiver Burnout? I don't have time. I have been the only present parent in their lives for the past 337 days and counting.
Braden has complex, chronic medical needs and has since birth.
Rylee is my neurotypical teenager who loves her friends, sports, and makeup.
Macee is my unique, original, brave, free spirit.
All three children are very intelligent in their own ways and are my most prized possessions.
I am not asking the world to take on the entire burden of my divorce or my son or daughter's medical expenses; but I could really use some help.
My divorce has been prolonged for almost two years.
Unfortunately, this was a learn as you go process and things didn't go as smoothly as anyone would have imagined.
This divorce continues to be a dark cloud that hangs over this house, regardless of our smiling faces, resilience, and our genuine, spunky personalities.
I would like to get this resolved so we can move on with our lives.
Most recently I had three high profile attorneys review my divorce decree; the feedback was, after investing more than $30,000 to two separate law firms: filing a restraining order, Rule 11 temporary orders, a mediated settlement agreement, co-parenting classes and going to divorce/family court twice, my "final divorce decree is trash".
I have at least four more court hearings in my immediate future to settle ongoing disputes, begin tackling multiple enforcement issues regarding the children and the estate, as well as resolving the negligence of the two previous attorneys’.
This is the third beginning of what we want to be the end.
The current process to obtain a divorce is already exceptionally difficult in normal circumstance and financially impossible for most. When you consider two children with exceptional medical/mental needs, therapies, treatments, and interventions, you can easily conclude the costs can be insurmountable and unpredictable in both cases.
I haven't worked outside the home in 15 1/2 years. To meet the varying needs of my children's medical, mental, emotional, and physical stability while working at the same time, post-divorce, is difficult. With rising gas prices, food costs . . . the list goes on.
I am seeking financial support to help us close one chapter and move forward.
Warrior moms like me are willing and able to provide an insight into what it is like and what it takes to ensure our children thrive.
Life is short.
They say: "if you don't like something, change it"
I'm trying. Every day.
I keep moving forward because my children need me.
I might be hanging on by a thread, but I'm here.
I'm a very proud mom put in a very special situation with fantastic kids.
Any assistance in providing my family with this privilege is greatly appreciated!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7BbrbmajZ4
Organizer
Crystal Brown
Organizer
Buda, TX