Scripture reminds us to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).

Today, my family and I are asking for help carrying my mom’s.

No one is prepared for the moment when they must become their parents’ caregiver. It is emotionally overwhelming under the best circumstances—but when your parent is elderly, medically fragile, and living below the poverty line, the challenges can feel insurmountable.

This is the situation my mom, Pam, is facing.

Pam’s Story

Pam has lived a life marked by hardship and resilience. She grew up in an abusive home—her mother struggled with alcoholism, and my mom endured emotional, mental, and physical abuse throughout her childhood. The stories she has shared are painful to hear, but they help explain many of the choices she made later in life.

For part of her childhood and adolescence, she lived with her half-sister’s family. They loved her deeply and became a true family to her and to me.

At just 18, Pam married my father. They were married for 39 years. Like many marriages, theirs was difficult, but she stayed until my siblings and I were grown and on our own. Eventually, she made the courageous decision to leave and moved closer to my sister in coastal Georgia. A few years later, she remarried and built a life there.

A Lifetime of Giving

Pam spent much of her life putting the needs of others ahead of her own. After raising her children, she later became a nanny and homeschool teacher for her grandchildren and has always been willing to help others—often at the expense of her own financial security.

Unfortunately, her generosity came at a cost. Combined with years of difficult circumstances, it has left her financially vulnerable in her later years.

A Series of Devastating Events

Over the past year, Pam became the primary caregiver for her husband as his health rapidly declined due to spinal issues and, more recently, multiple strokes. As he weakened, she physically supported him through frequent falls, which led to injuries and a severe decline in her own health. Despite this, she continued to neglect her own medical needs while caring for him.

Several weeks ago, after ongoing emotional abuse from a family member on her husband’s side, as well as extreme caregiver stress, Pam was hospitalized with acute respiratory distress. During her stay, she was diagnosed with pneumonia, RSV, chronic bronchitis, and COPD. She has never smoked, but years of secondhand smoke exposure and living in a mold-contaminated home have taken a toll on her fragile health.

We thought she was getting better, but she went back into the hospital this past week and is still dealing with pneumonia and RSV, and she also has congestive heart failure. Most likely, she will need rehab to build strength and heal.

Financial Crisis

Pam is now medically fragile and unable to continue as a caregiver. Her husband will require long-term care, and she has lost access to financial support because she was never added to his accounts and cannot obtain power of attorney.

She has lost nearly everything in a matter of months—her health, her financial stability, her home, and even several of her beloved pets. She is now living on a fixed income below the poverty line. While we are pursuing government assistance and low-income housing, the process is slow and uncertain.

All Pam wants is a safe, clean place to live where she can keep her remaining dogs and focus on healing.

Our Prayer and Goal

We are raising funds to help cover Pam’s rent and basic needs, such as groceries and medications, for the next 6–12 months, giving her stability while we work toward long-term housing and care solutions.

Pam has spent her entire life giving to others. Asking for help is not easy for her, but we believe this is a season where God is inviting others to bless her as she has blessed so many.

If you feel led to give, thank you. If you cannot, we would be so grateful for your prayers and for sharing her story. I have been praying for a miracle for Pam, and I believe deeply in God’s provision and compassion.

Thank you for caring and being part of what God is doing in Pam’s life.