In December 2024 my father died unexpectedly of a heart attack. He was the only source of income for my parent's household. My mother suffers from a chronic pain disorder called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). She experiences regular significant pain which requires medication and severely limits her mobility and ability to work. She requires assistance driving to doctor appointments, picking up her medication and mundane chores like grocery shopping or taking care of her dogs. Because she has been on several different pain medications over the years, she experiences diminished kidney and liver function and requires semiregular treatment for kidney infections and other digestive issues. Since my father's passing, the onus for the majority of her day-to-day care has fallen to me and my sibling until we can help her transition to an assisted living situation. While my father's company has graciously ensured that my mother will remain on his healthcare plan for the next year, there are still significant costs involved in helping her make this transition (as well as cover her day-to-day expenses).

Which brings us to this fundraiser. I am currently 4k in credit card debt, largely incurred by the cost of my husband and I's move to China. Last year you all were genuinely lifesavers helping us cover many expenses involved in our move, but we had to supplement the money we raised with credit -- often covering expenses we were not aware of until they arose. For example, on the day of our flight to Shanghai we were charged an unexpected $700 to pay for the three suitcases we brought with us. Large and unexpected purchases such as these quickly drained cards that I had set aside for emergencies or to be used when we arrived. Additionally, large purchases such as our flight tickets ($1400) will not be reimbursed by my husband's employer until later this year. Owing to the fact that my husband's job paid monthly, and I am currently unemployed, we used the cards regularly our first month in the country further depleting my available credit while accruing late-fees.

While our financial situation has since become more stable, it is not stable enough for me to be able to assist my mom properly in helping her adjust to a new living situation after my dad's passing. Being able to pay off even a small portion of this debt would mean that I could send her more money on a monthly basis as well as allow her to use my cards as an authorized user to cover purchases for which I or my sibling could not immediately cover. Until my dad's life insurance policy pays out, her income is currently zero and she has very little in the way of savings. This would allow me to help her out further until she had greater financial security. It would also allow my husband to have more money to pay off his credit cards and student loan, which would help us become even more stable in the coming year.

You have been extraordinarily generous to me and my family in the past, and I would not ask for help with these bills except for the fact that my father unexpectedly passed away and I would like to be able to help out in taking care of my mother during this difficult transition. Thank you, and even if you are not able to donate, please pass this fundraiser along.