My name is Ashlei. I am a wheelchair user living with cerebral palsy, and I never imagined I would be in a position where I needed to ask for help like this, but after doing everything I could to stay afloat, I’m reaching out with honesty and hope.

Over a short period of time, I found myself covering nearly all shared living expenses in my marriage, including food, household necessities, and daily costs. What I believed would be a partnership became an overwhelming financial responsibility that I carried alone.

Food expenses became especially high. I usually rely on simple home cooking using tools like my Instant Pot, but when my equipment stopped working and given the circumstances I was in, much of my spending went toward takeout and prepared meals.

I previously relied on food assistance, but I no longer qualify based on my Social Security income, even though that income must also cover all of my other living expenses. This has made it much more difficult to consistently afford groceries.

As someone living with a disability and relying on a fixed income, this created a serious and unexpected hardship. I used over $10,000 to maintain stability—funds I cannot realistically replace on my own.

I also had to purchase a specialized mattress for my hospital bed to help prevent ongoing back pain and pressure sores. This was expected to be a shared expense, but I ultimately became fully responsible for the $2,000 cost.

Because of the resulting credit card balances, I have struggled to consistently afford basic groceries. Part of this fundraiser will help me meet those essential needs while I regain stability.

I am currently going through a divorce and will be seeking a fair resolution to recover part of these expenses. However, I do not know how long that process will take, which is why I am asking for help now.

I am preparing to return to work within the next couple of weeks as my workplace completes setup. Once I return, I expect to be able to manage my basic expenses independently again.

My goal is to raise $15,000 to help pay down these essential expenses and move forward without the weight of this financial hardship.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward paying off necessary expenses and helping me regain stability.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this would mean so much. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any support you can give.