If you know my mother, you know her heart. She has always been a loving mom and pillar of support in our home and wider community. She has given so much of herself to others, and now she faces a challenge where she needs support in return.

This fall, my mother will undergo surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma – a rare, benign tumor on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. While it is noncancerous, it has already taken away much of her hearing and significantly impacted her balance. The surgery is delicate and intensive, requiring neurosurgery and a long recovery. Doctors expect at least three months of healing, with physical therapy and ongoing challenges that may extend beyond that.

In the months leading up to this, she has already endured countless medical appointments, MRIs, and visits with multiple specialists to prepare for surgery and make sure everything is in place. These steps have been exhausting – physically, emotionally, and financially.

During recovery, her short-term disability will only provide partial pay – starting at full pay for a short period, but dropping to about 65% of her income by December, with benefits still coming out of that reduced amount. Since her recovery will last at least three months (and possibly longer), this will leave her with a significant gap in income during a time when stability is most important. As her son, I will be stepping in as her primary caregiver, while also helping provide for my younger brother and keeping life stable for our family.

This is not easy for us to share. If you know my mom and me, you know we aren’t great at asking for help – but right now, we truly need to lean on our community, family, and friends. The surgery is scheduled for October 16th, and we hesitated to post this out of vulnerability. But the reality is that we can’t do this alone.

If you are able, please consider donating to help offset medical expenses, household bills, and everyday living costs during her recovery. And if you can’t give financially, sharing this with your own communities, church families, and networks would mean the world to us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for walking beside us through this season. My mom is someone who almost never puts herself first – she has spent her life caring for her children and family selflessly. This time, she has no choice but to focus on herself and her healing. Your kindness and support will help lift that burden and give her the space to recover fully.