Support Lucy's Fight to Care for Her Mom and Survive

Hi, my name is Lucy Gonzalez, and I am writing this with a heavy heart. The past three and a half years have been my life's most painful and overwhelming. I’m 28 years old, and I grew up in Baldwin Park, CA, with my dad and mom. Our family was close, full of love, and for most of my life, I thought we were unshakable.

But in 2021, everything fell apart. I lost my dad, the pillar of our family, the man who held us together, and the provider who ensured we were always taken care of. His passing left an unimaginable void in our lives. Losing him was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced—until now.

Without my dad, it became my responsibility to keep us afloat. I worked three jobs just to make ends meet, trying desperately to stay strong for my mom and myself. But grief doesn’t stop because bills need to be paid, and every day felt like a fight to survive.

Then, earlier this year, tragedy struck again. My mom—my best friend and my greatest source of comfort—suffered a massive stroke. She was always so healthy; her doctor had just told her she was in excellent condition. I never thought I could lose her too. But in the blink of an eye, the vibrant, loving mom I knew was gone.

She spent months in the hospital fighting for her life, and I spent every moment I could by her side, praying for a miracle. Watching her lose the ability to walk, speak, and recognize the world around her broke me in ways I didn’t think were possible. Some days, she would stare blankly at me, and it felt like I was losing her all over again.

While she fought to recover, I was drowning. I couldn’t stop working I had to pay the bills, keep the lights on, and make sure we still had a home to come back to. But the pressure became unbearable. There were nights I sat in my car and sobbed, feeling like I was crumbling under the weight of it all.

My health began to suffer, and I ended up hospitalized with pneumonia. For a moment, lying in that hospital bed, I felt relief because I didn’t have to fight so hard. But that relief was short-lived. I couldn’t afford to rest. As soon as I was discharged, I went straight back to work because the bills wouldn’t wait for me to recover.

Two weeks later, I was in a car accident. A man ran a red light and totaled my car. It was like life had decided to test how much more I could endure. His insurance company denied responsibility, and I was left with a $1,000 deductible I couldn’t pay. Now, I have no car to get to work or visit my mom in rehab.

As if that wasn’t enough, my mom was rushed to the ER again. Her stroke caused complications, and her brain drainage system became clogged, putting her at risk of another stroke. Every time I think I can’t possibly lose more, life finds another way to take from me.

And now, I’m at the end of my rope. I’ve received an eviction notice, and if I can’t come up with the money in three days, I will lose my home. The place where my mom and I built so many memories, the only piece of stability I have left, will be gone.

I am completely broken. I’ve worked as hard as I can, but it’s not enough. I’ve reached out to family, and they’ve helped as much as they can, but they’re struggling too. I have nothing left to give, nowhere else to turn, and I am terrified of what comes next.

Please, if you can find it in your heart to help, I am begging for your support. Any donation, no matter how small, could make all the difference. It could help me pay for rent, fix my car, and continue caring for my mom.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your kindness could save us from losing everything