Supporting a Military Spouse Through Surgery, Loss, and Financial Hardship

My sister is a military spouse.

Being a military spouse comes with a lot of pride — but also a lot of sacrifice. Every few years, my sister has to start over in a new place with a new job, which means rebuilding everything from the ground up, including her sick time and PTO. It’s a cycle she has learned to navigate, but it isn’t always easy.

Earlier this year, her world shifted when her dad passed away in February. She had to use every bit of her time off to be with her family and grieve. It was the right thing to do — but it left her with nothing saved up for the unexpected. Actually, during this tragedy, most of her time off was unpaid.

On Monday, she had hip surgery and is now facing another financial challenge and will be off work anywhere from 6-12 weeks. Her short-term disability through her work will only cover about 30% of her income. For most people, it’s closer to 66% — which makes this gap especially hard for her to absorb. On top of lost income, she'll also have medical bills coming her way during recovery.

Then, as the holidays approach, this financial strain feels even heavier for her.

My sister is someone who is used to being strong and resilient, but this time, I would like to humbly ask for help so that we can help support her and her family. Whether through a donation or by sharing this — it would make a huge difference in helping my sister cover living expenses and medical costs and stay afloat while she recovers.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for any kindness and generosity you can give.