In 2020, I married my best friend and started a new chapter in my life filled with love, excitement, and new experiences. I cherish time spent with my husband, my dogs, and the simple pleasures of art, gardening, cooking, discovering new music, and enjoying the outdoors. I’ve always found joy in sharing my passion for creativity, especially through my work teaching adults with disabilities. Whether it’s skill building, self-care, art classes, or cooking, my work family and the individuals I teach mean the world to me.

A few years after my wedding, my life changed dramatically. I developed a severe staph infection that required three surgeries in my legs, and doctors weren’t sure I’d walk again. While recovering, I lost vision in my right eye due to a detached retina, and now rely on monthly shots to preserve sight in my left eye. Then, a rare brain embolism forced me to relearn how to talk, and my kidneys suffered further damage. This year, pneumonia led to a frightening hospitalization and intubation, with doctors warning my husband about possible permanent brain damage. On top of all this, I’ve managed type one diabetes since I was 12, which has quietly worn away at my kidneys for years.

Now, I am on the waiting list for a kidney transplant and training for home dialysis. My schedule is controlled by dialysis and doctor appointments, leaving me exhausted and only able to work one day a week. The funds I’m raising will go directly toward my most recent hospitalization bill and help me continue dialysis until I find a living donor. It’s hard for me to ask for help, but I know I can’t do this alone. Every bit of support means the world to me and my family. Thank you to everyone—family, friends, and even those I’ve never met—for your kindness and care. Your support gives me hope for a healthier future and the chance to return to the life and work I love.