Help Cher Care for Her Son Spencer and Her Ailing Mom

My name is Cher, and I’m reaching out with a heavy heart. Life has been a long, emotional journey filled with love, faith, and endless challenges — and now, I’m at a point where I can’t do it alone anymore.

My son Spencer was born on August 19, 2008. From the moment he came into this world, he’s been my miracle. He was born with Achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism. At first, doctors assured me it wasn’t anything to worry about — but deep down, I knew something more was going on.

When Spencer was 10 months old, he underwent his first major surgery — a fundoplication and G-tube placement. At 3 years old, he had his first seizure. That was the day everything changed.

In 2014, Spencer’s genetic team told me we needed to leave Oklahoma and get him to a larger hospital with more specialists and researchers who could help him. So, we packed up our lives and moved to Florida, hoping for answers.

After years of testing and uncertainty, we finally got them — though they weren’t the answers any mother wants to hear. In 2017, Spencer was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy. Then in 2018, genetic testing revealed an even rarer condition — FOXG1 syndrome.

Despite it all, Spencer remained my light. He has faced more in his 17 years than most of us could ever imagine — countless seizures, blood clots, surgeries, and even a spinal decompression surgery. He was on TPN (IV nutrition) from age 3 until June 2025, and this year, for the first time ever, he’s been able to eat on his own.

Spencer’s biological father never wanted to be in his life. I was married for 14 years, and my ex-husband helped raise both my boys as his own. But when we divorced in 2021, he left and has never looked back. He took everything but my children — my only treasures.

I’ve worked hard my entire life. After losing Spencer’s SSI benefits in August 2025 because they said I “make too much,” I told myself I’d make it work. I started working 90–120 hours every two weeks just to keep us afloat. But then life took another devastating turn.

In September, my mom — who had been my biggest support and full-time helper for Spencer — got very sick. After starting a weight loss injection her doctor prescribed, she began experiencing severe nausea, vomiting, and weakness. By October 8th, she was rushed to urgent care, then the ICU. Her potassium was dangerously low (1.0) and her heart was showing signs of heart failure.

She spent weeks in the hospital and was finally diagnosed with Ileus and Gastroparesis — her stomach and intestines have stopped working properly. Now she’s back in the hospital again, unable to eat, and the doctors are talking about a gastric electrical stimulator surgery. She’s weak, exhausted, and can no longer help me care for Spencer.

Right now, I only have nurse coverage 3 days a week. The rest of the time, it’s just me. My mom needs help. Spencer needs 24-hour care. I’m doing everything I can, but I’ve only been able to work five days this month, and I’ve already used all my PTO. The bills keep coming, and I’m falling behind.

I’ve lost my dad, my brother, and my aunt who was like a second mom. My only sister has a family of her own to care for. I don’t have anyone else to lean on — just faith that maybe, somehow, someone will read this and care.

If you can find it in your heart to donate — even a little — it would help me keep our home, pay our bills, and continue to care for Spencer and my mom while they both fight their battles.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, for your prayers, and for any help you can offer. From one mother’s heart to another — I’m beyond grateful.

With love and hope,

Cher