My son Damian is my whole heart. Watching your child be sick is truly something that changes you forever. There is nothing that prepares you for seeing your child in pain, or for the constant fear of not knowing what tomorrow will look like. Since his diagnosis with a rare neurological autoimmune disease, our lives have been taken over by uncertainty, and fear.

This chronic disease is unpredictable. There is no schedule. No guarantees. Some days Damian has strength, and other days his body simply can’t keep up. Some days he looks okay, and some days his body betrays him. His treatment requires repeated infusion therapies and constant specialized care. We spend long, draining days in hospital rooms, waiting, hoping, bracing ourselves. And after treatment, when everyone expects improvement, Damian is often very sick.. weak, drained, nauseous, exhausted and I am there caring for him while his body tries to recover from what it just went through.

I sit beside him through everything. The needles. The side effects. The quiet moments where I can see how tired he is. I try to stay strong for him, even when I’m breaking inside. There are nights I lie awake wondering how much more his little body can handle, and how I’m supposed to keep holding all of this together.

To be there for my son, I have to miss work. There is no alternative. When I’m at the hospital or home caring for him after treatment, I’m not earning income, but the bills don’t stop. Rent doesn’t stop. Groceries don’t stop. Life doesn’t stop just because your child is fighting something you can’t see.

Between lost wages, travel to appointments, hospital stays, meals, parking, and medical expenses that aren’t fully covered, the financial weight has become unbearable. I’ve pushed myself past exhaustion trying to do this alone, but the truth is I am stretched beyond my limits…emotionally, physically, and financially.

Asking for help is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. This is not something I ever imagined I would have to do. But this journey is long, unpredictable, and terrifying. I created this gofundme so I can keep showing up for my son, on the days he’s strong and especially on the days he’s sick and vulnerable… without constantly wondering how we’re going to survive financially while he fights for his health.

If you’re able to help in any way… whether it’s a donation, a share, or simply holding us in your thoughts, please know it means more than I can put into words. It gives me a little room to breathe. It helps me focus on being his mom when he needs me the most, and reminds me that we’re not completely alone.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping a mother do everything she can for her child. ❤️