My son Austin and his girlfriend Emily (MJ) are facing a challenging time after Emily was recently involved in a car accident. She suffered a broken bone in her knee on one leg, and a fractured ankle with a torn ligament on the other leg, which requires surgery this week. After surgery, she will be confined to a wheelchair. Emily works as a waitress and depends on tips to make ends meet, but she has already been out of work for a week and, due to her surgery and recovery, will be unable to work for the next 8 to 10 weeks. To make things even harder, they are down to one vehicle, and with Christmas approaching, the stress is even greater.

Austin is doing everything he can to support Emily. He is working full-time and also attending school three nights a week, where he has just successfully completed the first quarter of a year-long program for boat engine repair. Despite the challenges, both Austin and Emily have shown incredible strength and determination as they focus on her recovery and their future together. Emily is wonderful to my grandchildren and is very much loved by the rest of our family. I would hate to see this unexpected challenge derail the recovery efforts of Emily or Austin.

The funds raised will be managed by me and used strictly for rent and other living expenses while Emily is unable to work. I have never asked for help from anyone outside of my family, but these two need some help getting over this hump. They both continue to make me proud with the work they have put into their recovery, and I am so grateful and blessed as Austin's mother to see him healthy, happy, and productive. A praying mother is a powerful thing. Any support you can offer would mean the world to us as we help them get through this difficult time and get back on the road to building a productive future.