Mom, if you see this, keep fighting. We are all behind you.

——

My mom has spent years quietly battling alcoholism, a fight that so many people don’t see, and even fewer understand.

It’s not about willpower or simply “choosing differently.” It’s something that affects the brain, decision making, and daily life in ways most people don’t see. It’s a constant battle.

Recently, she made one of the bravest decisions of her life: she CHOSE to get help. She committed to entering medical detox, and to taking the first real step towards real sobriety.

My mom works as much as she can, even when her body is telling her not to. Because she never wants to be a burden. She carries constant stress about her health conditions, money, independence, and about not needing anyone to take care of her.

The day before she was supposed to enter medical detox, one of the biggest, bravest steps she has ever taken - she falls while working, and breaks her hip.

This is her second major hip injury after a full replacement on her right hip in 2019. Now her left.

Her first hip injury - She took my daughter, to one of her favorite places, the skating rink. Trying to spend time and do something that her granddaughter loves to do, she fell and was taken by EMS for emergency hip surgery.

Now she’s facing yet another painful recovery at the exact moment she was ready to change her life.

My mom still has not given up. At 63 years old, she is still trying. She is still fighting. She is still showing up in all of the ways that she can.

In 2021, my mom lost her mom. Our family’s rock. During one of the hardest periods of her addiction. Before she passed, my mom made a promise to her that she would get sober.

That promise has stayed with her.

Grief, addiction, and life made that journey more complicated than anyone could have imagined, and she hasn’t had the chance to fully become the version of herself she wanted her mom, our Nenaw to see.

But she is still here. And now, she is trying again.

She hasn’t given up on herself.

My mom is choosing to fight for her health, for her future, and for her sobriety. Watching her push through pain, fear, and everything life has thrown at her has been nothing short of inspiring.

My mom has been through more than most people know. Life hasn’t been easy on her. But she is still here, still standing, and still willing to try again.

That matters.

This fundraiser isn’t about medical bills or recovery costs, though those are very real. It’s about showing her that her fight is seen. That there are people in this world who care about recoveries and healthy living. That it’s never too late to start over. It’s about giving her something she has rarely allowed herself to have: relief. And instead of finding relief in addiction, this is her chance to heal without the constant fear of financial stress. A chance to focus on her sobriety and her health. A chance to rest, knowing she is so supported.

If she’s willing to fight this hard for her life, I want her to know she doesn’t have to do it alone.

If you’re able to give, share, or even just send her encouragement, it would mean more than you know. Every bit of support is a reminder to her that this world still has kindness in it, and that her health is worth fighting for.

I am so incredibly proud of her. And I can’t wait to watch her step into this next chapter of learning to face life’s challenges with strength, instead of alcohol, and become the version of herself that she has always been capable of.

Thank you for being part of her story.