Miracles for Ashlee.

Hi, my name is Marti. Today, I am telling you a story about my daughter Ashlee and how she never gave up on following her dream and becoming a Paramedic against all odds and because she needs your support.

Ashlee realized in high school that her dream was to go into the medical field. She said she wanted to help people. I can’t honestly say for sure but I believe it had to do with her dad passing away shortly after she turned 5 years old.

In June, of 2001, Ashlee received an Award for Outstanding Performance and Excellence from the Career Institute for Health Services. In April of 2002, she successfully completed the E&A program and received her lifeguard license. In December of 2002, she completed all the skills evaluations in accordance with the curriculum of the American Heart Association and received her certification for CPR. In February of 2003, her Senior year of high school she went to Fort Osage Career and Technology Center and she successfully completed the Nurse Assistant Training for Long Term Facility and received her CNA Certification.

It wasn’t all rosy, she lost sight of her dream for a while. But in July of 2007, she was ready to get back on track. She started Raytown EMT school and graduated in January 2008. In September 2008, she went to Hutchinson Community College Fire Academy.

She worked as an EMT, from 2008-2011, until she got married and had a second and third child. In July of 2017, she went to work for Lawson Fire and Rescue and is still currently with them. In 2018, she decided it was time to go back to school. She knew it wouldn’t be easy with the expense of school, three children, and working. In June 2018, she started Paramedic school. In August, two short months after starting school life’s obstacles starting turning her life upside down. She felt it necessary to take the children and leave her husband.

She is now facing the biggest challenge of her life. Going through a divorce, working not one but two jobs, going to school along with hours of studying and sleepless nights. I know there were times that she thought about giving up, however, her persistence prevailed. She passed her Pediatric Advanced Life Support test with a 49 out of 50 and passed her Advanced Cardiac Support test with a 96%. To cut the story short she had a setback due to Covid. Even though she graduated from Paramedic school in November of 2020, she still had 800 hours of clinicals to complete. It took several months longer to accomplish this because of the shutdown from Covid. She had two other required tests which she passed.

It has been a long and challenging journey for Ashlee to get to where she is and to achieve the important goal, she set out to do. Along with the world chaos, she wouldn’t quit. It goes without saying how proud I am of my daughter. Most people are not willing to take the kind of risks that she takes every minute that she holds a paramedic license. As a parent, I fear for her safety every day that she leaves for work as a Paramedic/Firefighter. Over her thirteen-year career, it seems to me like it can be a thankless job.

Due to an unexpected shoulder injury, Ashlee has been out of work since March 25, 2021. Due to Covid, it took until June 9th before Ashlee could get a diagnosis from the orthopedic doctor. Without getting into all the medical terminology, Ashlee is scheduled for shoulder surgery on July 16th. The injury is most likely a result of thirteen years of heavy lifting.

Ashlee has not received a paycheck for over 3 months now and she has depleted her savings. Her paperwork has been filed for temporary disability and she has no idea when it will be approved. When it gets approved Ashlee will only receive 66% of her pay from one job. She will receive nothing from working her second job. Just before all this Ashlee had a vehicle that I called the money pit. With working 2 jobs she was finally able to purchase a new vehicle but she is now behind in her payments along with car insurance and medical bills to date.

Ashlee needs your help more than ever right now. You are the solution to the problem Ashlee is facing right now and the answer to my prayers. Your support will be used for getting her car payments caught up, car insurance, medical bills not covered by insurance, and monthly expenses.

I am also asking supporters to share this story with any other networks if possible. My heartfelt thanks go out to any supporter in advance and I will continue to bring updates.