Hi everyone, my name is Stephanie, for those who don't know me. As most of you are aware, I've had an extremely rough 2 years. I lost both my parents in a 5 month span, and unfortunately separated from my husband. Dealing with my father's passing was probably the hardest, as it was very sudden. He was hit my a drunk driver and killed instantly. It shattered my world. I flew to Ottawa to handle his affairs, and it was nothing short of a nightmare. This event put me in a very powerful flight or fight response to pretty much everything that came my way. Aside from the emotionally debilitating strain from losing my Dad, the funds added up quickly. Flight there, car rental, uhaul storage to ship my dads belongings home back to Edmonton, a lawyer for my dads estate and to also retrieve his remains from the woman he was with who made my life living hell. That's a whole other story though. Due to her making everything as complicated as possible, I was forced to cancel my flight home, losing that money, and I ended up driving home in my dads pick up truck. From Ottawa. Another ridiculous amount of money for gas and motel.

Upon returning home, there was unfortunate events that lead to my husband and I separating. I won't go into detail out of respect. However, we had to sell the house to balance finances. I packed up and got myself a basement suit with the money my dad left me from his life insurance. Soon after I started seeing my therapist more frequently to manage the greif. Another cost, as my benefits ran out.

February, 5 months after my father died, and 4 months after separating with my husband, my mom passes away. Unfortunately this was an expected passing, but sent me into a spiral none the less. I ended up going on short term disability for the remainder of the year.

In Sept I had to move again, more costs. Somehow I managed. Barely. Since Sept last year I have done alot of self healing. I have secured a permanent position with Ahs and am working full time.

However, I'm still trying to get ontop of things financially.

June 24 evening, Asia and I were playing outside in our big yard. I threw her ball as I always do and she leaped to catch it. Her center of gravity kept her motion going, almost landing her on her back. Not quite though, she landed on her back right foot in such away that broke 3 bones in her foot. As soon as I seen her falling backwards I knew it was going to be a hard land, except I didn't expect to hear her bones break as she fell. She immediately started screaming and sat there on the far end of the yard. I ran over as fast as I could knowing exactly what happened. I held her. I held her close to comfort her until she stopped crying. It was absolutely gut wrenching to hear. I stood up, and asked her to come, I was pleased to see she could still hobble on 3 legs. She sat and I ran inside cursing the whole way in a panic. I ran in grabbed my purse, keys and a leash and ran back outside. Funny enough, when she seen the leash she still got excited. Bless her heart. I put her in the car and off we went to the vet hospital. She went in right away to get some pain meds. I knew Asia would be ok, but I was most definitely not ok. I had a full blown melt down. All the greif and trauma I've gone through came flooding in. My body was shaking uncontrollably, I was soaked in sweat, balling my eyes out. I started to feel myself disassociating and staring into nothing while I waited. I'm so happy that the girls at the hospital were super helpful. Chatted with me and gave me water to calm down.

The doc came back in to painfully tell me the potential cost. Coming through the doors is 200. Then pain meds. I said I wanted an xray which would need sedation. That alone was over 700. Then who knows what the verdict would be, if it was in fact broken or not. Even though I knew in my heart it was.

Now, I have pet insurance luckily. However my deductible is $1000. A $1000 I don't have at the moment. It ended up costing me over $1500, because they don't cover exam fees, taxes, and my 10% since they only cover 90%. I know some people may say, well your lucky to even have that insurance. You chose your deductible, deal with it. Yes, I did. I guess I'm just asking if anyone would be willing to help. I somehow have managed to get through everything I've gone through, and now it seems like I really can't catch a break. All I want to do is go camping for the first time in 2 years. Or actually do something enjoyable since this is my first summer where I can actually see the light in life again. But it always just seems to be one thing after another, keeping me in the gloom.

Anyways, I have to take a few days off work and I don't have much sick hours. That's why I am asking for some additional funds, and for any additional medical supplies I may need. I don't ever ask for money or help in my life. My Dad raised me to "do it yourself". It's taking alot for me to reach out finally. I just need a small helping hand. I hope you all don't think I'm weak or greedy, or "I wanted the dog I should be prepared to pay when they are sick". I'm just trying so hard right now to get up and stand on my own two feet again.

Any small helping hand will not go unappreciated. I don't even expect to reach the goal, but a girl can hope.

Thank you,

Stephanie & Asia