Please help our family avoid financial tragedy. Recent loss of income has put our backs to the wall. These have been very stressful times for us and we could really use your help.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31:25

So many people have stepped up to help us through this time, and for that we will be forever grateful, we love you all.

Why are we raising funds?

To bring some understanding of our journey, here is the timeline of events which have led to where we are today. It can be hard to share personal details, but we've learned it's important to be as transparant as possible, so here we go.

Where our journey began

In 2015 my son, Stephen, was diagnosed with chronic cystic acne. Cystic acne is a type of inflammatory acne that causes painful, pus-filled pimples to form deep under the skin. Acne occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog skin pores. With cystic acne, bacteria also gets into the pores, causing swelling or inflammation. Cystic acne is the most severe type of acne and covers over half of his body.

After many years of treatment, medications and painful procedures, this condition is something he deals with on a daily basis even today. It has caused so much mental distress through personal self conciousness, many sleepless nights, painful personal hygene and more, making it difficult to function normally and even build social relationships. Bouts with depression and panic attacks are something he is currently working through with the help of his therapist.

Another unfortunate event

In the summer of 2020 I was hospitalized with Lyme's disease. I spent nearly a week in the hospital and at one point suffered an internal body tempurature of 107 degrees, which could have proven fetal if not for the work of the amazing medical staff at CAMC memorial.

This was a difficult time because if was during the pandemic and my wife and family were unable to even visit me. She spent her nights monitoring my condition over the internet and with phone calls to the nursing staff, only able to watch from afar.

Although most people recover fully from Lyme's Disease, I learned this was not always the case. Some see relapses of their condition despite treatment, something that’s commonly termed “chronic Lyme disease.” Clinically referred to as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), this is the persistence of fatigue, nerve and skeletal pain, and cognitive difficulties more than six months after treatment has ended.

Unfortunately, this was my case and something I dealt with long after my hospitalization and treatment. Recovery for me was not an easy road and even caused a feeling of emasculation leading to anxiety and even depression.

Our lives were then changed forever

January 3rd 2022 we received news that would change everything, My wife, Maggie, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Because my wife received regular screenings they were able to catch the cancer at the earliest stage which was a true blessing. None the less, like those of countless others, her life would never be the same.

Numerous surgeries and chemo-therapy would engulf her life for the entirety of 2022, a battle she faced with grace and strength, always positive and faithful to God's plan for her. She is a true warrior among women.

Today, as a Registered Nurse for CAMC imaging, she meets women facing the same fight of their own. Her story of recovery has given so many of them comfort in their own journey, a blessing she has been able to pass to others. She truly believes this was her calling, so that her story could help others.

It all came to a head

In October of 2022, the very same year her mother battled with cancer, our daughter, Morgan, was hospitalized for a week and diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. In the time leading up to her diagnosis she became very sick, something we missed at first as a result of our own distractions.

Since her diagnosis, Morgan has undergone numerous treatments including Remicade infusions every 4-6 weeks and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. With the recent addition of Methotrexate to her regimine her doctor was able to keep her symptoms at bay, but at the cost of additional side effects.

As a result of her condition and subsequent treatments, Morgan began missing school, special events, and even travel. She wanted to participate in sports, which became seemingly impossible, and gave up on a role in her school play for fear of missing performances.

Moreover, time away from her beloved friends, church, and even family at times, has been one of the most difficult things for her to deal with. She has often times felt isolated and left behind, accedemically and socially, at no fault of her own.

This year, her first year of high school, Morgan has elected to work from home virtually rather than in person. This decision helped to reduce the pressure of missing important days and work.

How funds will be used

In an effort to shoulder this burden ourselves over the past few years we took out many personal loans and maximized our credit card debt to alleviate as much daily financial stress as possible.

This decision was made to help us cover medical bills, doctor visits, medications, living expenses, personal emergencies, and mental wellness, among others.

We've made every effort to take on this task head on, but have simply pushed too far and have become overwhelmed. Here is a breakdown of what we are asking for help to overcome.

Future Medical Expenses

When dealing with any disease, the future is always uncertain. With Morgan's and Stephen's conditions and continuous needs it is impossible to know what lies ahead.

Physical Therapy and Mental Wellness

In the case of our children moving forward, physical therapy will play an important roll in healing and development. This includes physical training and proper diet, something that remains at the forefront of recovery.

We've been unable to visit family members who live out of state or travel in general, which has been hard on all of us.

Getting back to some sense of normalcy is crucial in continued recovery, not only for our children, but for our family. We are working to right the ship and are hopeful it will happen sooner than later.

Sharing Her Journey with Others

Through everything Morgan has endured, all the pain and suffering, one thing has always been at the forefront of her mind is helping others. In our battle with her disease, we have learned so much about it and others like it.

Morgan's goal is to share her story with others so that they might avoid the hardships it has caused and perhaps make their road a little less bumpy.

How You Can Help

We know there are countless families dealing with similar situations and worse. It seems impossible to ask for help in times like these.

If you feel compelled to help there are a few ways you can do so.

Asking for help has been one of the hardest things we've had to do. We've been so fortunate during our struggles, more so than many others, but we have simply become overwhelmed. We have no way to thank you enough for your support!

With Sincere Gratitude,

Scott Gilliam

Hopeful Husband and Father