Earlier this year, after returning from a two-month maternity leave, I was immediately demoted and, a few months later, laid off from my job of nearly nine years. Throughout my time there, I received nothing but positive feedback and worked hard to build and train a strong team. The sudden loss of my job has been beyond devastating, especially as it came right after a difficult and expensive late in life (surprise) pregnancy.

My husband and I have been supporting two mortgages for months, and this sudden lay off has made things impossible to juggle while trying to take care of our three kids; 12, 10 and less than a year old. The medical bills from pregnancy and delivery are overwhelming, and to make matters worse I displaced two vertebrae in my neck during delivery. Without medical coverage, I can no longer continue the rehabilitation and physical therapy I need to recover.

We are doing everything we can to keep our family afloat. I have signed up for any contracting work and am applying for jobs weekly with no responses, as AI is displacing so many in the workforce. But I am failing to do enough. We are in desperate need of help during this incredibly trying transition. Any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to us and help us bounce back from paying for double mortgages, pay down our medical bills, and allow me to return to physical therapy. Your kindness will help give our family hope, and a fighting chance at recovery so I can hold my baby girl again.