Thank you for reading. Your willingness to read and consider helping to support this family in need are greatly appreciated.

Patrick and Myriah have had a very challenging year during 2023. Myriah became ill with COVID in February 2023, resulting in a week long hospitalization, and multiple medical complications followed thereafter. In May, Patrick was admitted to a crisis stabilization unit, resulting in a more complete diagnosis for him, c-PTSD, which in turn, came with it's own challenges. In July, Myriah underwent a full proctectomy, a surgery which takes healthy people 6-8 weeks recovery at a minimum, but Myriah was not healthy heading into the surgery. Her surgeon predicted it could be as long as 18 months to 2 years before she fully heals. Less than 2 weeks following that surgery, Patrick was laid off from his job, causing the family to lose half their income along with their health insurance. Patrick has been unable to find work that he is able to do with his diagnoses (aside from his mental health journey, Patrick also has a herniated disc in his back, causing mobility issues in his right leg) and has been advised by multiple medical professionals now to apply for disability. The family are pursuing this route, but as folks know, this is a government agency that is severely overworked and understaffed. The next available appointment for Patrick to get assistance with his application is not until mid-January 2024.

This is where the request for help comes in. On Myriah's teaching salary alone, the family will not be able to stay afloat until that appointment. The amount requested will cover December and January rent for their home, so Myriah's income can be put toward food and other utilities. Money raised will also go toward paying down maxed out credit cards and car payments/registration/inspection so Myriah can continue to commute to her teaching job daily. The family is applying for other assistance programs available to them to help lower their overall monthly cost of living to within the means of Myriah's salary, however, these applications take time to be reviewed and approved. The family is asking for this short term support to help keep them together and in their home while they are navigating this process.