*Many are going to read this and think, "what?" If you are, no worries. The battle of a family navigating mental illness as well as the care of an aging parent is very personal. If you have not experienced it, chances are you will totally not get it. But the request is to PLEASE SHARE.

Every $5,$10,$20 counts and if you think I'm doing this because it thought it would be fun, please know I am working 3 jobs and navigating life as well. This is embarrassing but I cannot think of other options. I have and am reducing expenses to bare bones and moving forward. 

You can buy a piece of archival artwork for 125$ or pay for a stay in an apt on Broad Street /Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia... or you are donating to help. It's all in how you view it.  

Please read on...

This morning I had the last cup of coffee in the house, it's raining and I'm out of ideas and time...
Nevertheless She Persisted, why? Because I have no choice but to move forward.

After losing Mom last Christmas,  the emergence of chemical imbalance in my son has taken it's toll. Yet somehow I reinvented myself, found a great job and was optimistic about overcoming our relentless circumstances. I moved to a new city, started my life over.

For those of you who don't know my son;
He is a brilliant, compassionate, empathic soul. He had a cost of attendance scholarship as a music performance/philosophy dual major, He presented in the undergrad symposium, was a brilliant trumpet soloist with the wind and jazz ensembles, a longtime lax goalie and held several jobs successfully. His potential was seemingly endless.  But, we watched his life as he knew it unravel slowly over the past few years. 

In December, His illness flared for the third time this year requiring another long term hospitalization 30+ days each time.  This, in turn, set a chain of dominoes falling...I walked away from my new job to take care of him and navigated the hardest, all-consuming 6 weeks of my life to date.

I have never witnessed a level of pain like what my son feels every day. My heart has broken for him over and over again. 

My son was released with what we now know was a paradoxical reaction to his prescribed meds. Like most people struggling with chemical imbalance, he is caught in the vortex of finding a Dr. who can help him, yet wavers with the belief that someone can help him and the denial that he needs this help. His working diagnosis is serious and life-changing. I am not sharing specifics to protect his privacy publicly but am happy to answer private inquiries.

I have begun to work at my desk  - back to the self employed status I've held for 20 years. However, I cannot recover quickly enough. 

My dad's health is suffering and he needs my assistance, My son needs expensive care, I'm attempting to work, we are losing our place to live...and I am now losing my ability to cope.

I need help. First, funds to catch up on rent so that we are stable for a month (at least) so I can figure out lesser expensive alternatives or spare us the stress of moving (and the added cost)

I've found a Dr. for my son. She's potentially a very good fit but of course testing, diagnosis and care is very expensive, paid up front then submitted to insurance. And a little extra breathing room ie food, gas, modest expenses.

In addition, I need: Someone to help in navigating public assistance, insurance and coordinating benefits for my dad. ie. a personal social worker/ assistant with time to research options.

Funding breakdown:
$7500 (Back rent and month of March)
NEED MARCH NOW (2/24-28)  We got March - thank you, Thank you for your support!!
$2400 Bills, Food and Expenses 

This may change as W has just been hospitalized again.
$1600 Initial testing with Dr.
$3500 Meds and appts. 

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Think of it this way:

$125+  Signed, numbered archival quality print of my work. * 

$300+  Add a 1 night stay  ·  My Beautiful (a little sparse but beautiful) 2bed, 2Bath apt in the heart of Philly**

$500+  Add another consecutive night to your stay.

$ANY - Negotiate graphic design services in exchange for your donation.

                                                                                                                                                              *Please see links for info   **as long as I am living here!

Thank you for considering. There are huge medical bills from this year and other expenses but if I get the basics covered, I can get some breathing room and then navigate the larger picture.

Please know I am struggling with the decision to to a gofundme but have decided it's my only option. I am amazed at the kindness we've been extended throughout the years and blessed with so many dear friends.  Thank you to everyone who has donated or contacted me to date :-)

Please Visit my instagram (@slb18865) for photos, some examples below. I will reach out to be sure you receive the perfect image for you.

I CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS OF MY LOVELY APARTMENT SOON.