Update

First and foremost, thank you to all have contributed. Every cent helps and my mother and me. Some good news: I found a good work-from-home opportunity that is right up my alley and have also won a contest to get a free, professional website built for my photography.

This past month, I experienced a medical emergency that is still wreaking havoc on my body making it difficult to study for the job and help my mom around the house. For better internet to help in this web-building process, I went to town. I walked two-tenths of a mile with my cane on even, paved ground and by the time I reached the coffeeshop I felt so sick I couldn't do anything but go home. This setback shows I still need a lot of rest, recovery, and possible rehab to get back on my feet.

The money so far has gone to groceries, utilities, and medications. It has helped with the cost of gas for traveling to medical appointments - all at least a half hour away.

Thank you again.

Help Us Stay Afloat After a Year of Loss and Medical Crisis

Hi, my name is Greta Starrett and my mom is Laurie Starrett, and I’m reaching out with a heavy heart and a hopeful spirit.

Over the past year, my life and my mother’s have been turned upside down. After the sudden death of my father from a fall that caused irreversible brain damage, we’ve been facing not only deep grief but a mounting medical and financial crisis that has left us struggling to stay afloat.

I live with my mom, who has COPD and is unsteady on her feet — she’s had several falls herself. We were already navigating her medical needs when my own health rapidly declined. In the wake of my father’s passing, my Long COVID symptoms relapsed, triggering a cascade of serious health issues.

My Diagnoses:

Rheumatoid Arthritis – causes painful swelling and stiffness in my joints

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) – a nervous system disorder that causes my heart to race, leaving me dizzy, nauseous, and shaky after standing or walking

Fibromyalgia – brings intense nerve and muscle pain, fatigue, and cognitive fog

Post-Exertional Malaise – means even small activities can leave me exhausted or bedridden for days

Recent medical setback – a dangerous side effect led to urinary retention, requiring emergency intervention and a catheter for over a week

I now need a cane to walk, can’t stand for more than 15 minutes, and am confined indoors due to heat sensitivity — even mild heat can cause my symptoms to spiral, including lightheadedness, dehydration, and severe tremors. I’ve been trying to manage my POTS through salt loading, electrolyte drinks, and compression gear while I wait for a specialist appointment — which isn’t until mid-November.

My dad was our primary source of income, and while his life insurance helped with funeral expenses, it didn’t stretch far. Neither my mom nor I can work right now due to our health.

We are struggling to afford:

Medical costs & insurance

My mom’s COPD medication alone is $300/month

I have to pay for most of my POTS treatment out of pocket and I'm at risk of losing Medicaid, which would make essential care unaffordable

Utilities, gas, and groceries

Future medical treatment – including specialist visits, physical therapy, and potential mobility aids

Why I’m Asking for Help:

My greatest hope is to recover enough to return to work, launch a small photography business, and write a memoir. My mom and I are both artists, and creativity keeps us going. She’s a lover of history, especially the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln, and despite her grief, she continues to be a source of strength and love.

We’re doing everything we can to survive. But we can’t do this alone anymore.

If you feel moved to donate, share, or simply send your support — it would mean the world. Your contribution would help cover medical needs, keep the lights on, and give us a shot at healing without the added weight of financial stress.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading and for caring.

With love and gratitude,

Greta Starrett