Support Riley's Mom: A Call for Compassion

I was born with sickle cell anemia and the one thing it taught me was to never show my vulnerability but its time to do just that. I was told from a young age I already had two strikes against me...I was a female and I was black. Through numerous hospitalizations and trials and tribulations not necessarily associated with growth I dug deep. I spent years fighting my illness and systems. II was told I would be dead by the age of 30. I ignored what everyone said and went to school and got several Masters degrees...worked hard through my illness and hospital visits to get to the present and now i cant carry it anymore...

I have worked in education giving back to youth because of the things i saw, experienced from 2005.

In 2017 I had a miracle child that I was never supposed to be able to carry to term...and ever since then I have not had many if any days to spare. I had my daughter a year before maternity leave came into play.

I have been with the department of education for 16 years, 11 of those as a school social worker. Throughout all my years in education I have given others love, courage, faith and hope and I need that now.

Every time i get sick...or my child does I don't have any days to cover. I have been getting docked pay every time it runs out and the last few years it ran out completely.

I have realized its not about what you got but who you have around you and y'all i need my village to show. In the last 3 years I have lost my mom, my dad, my savings and my sanity so i'm asking for help to not lose my housing too,

I was just out for a few weeks as Riley got sick and then really sick with Pneumonia and am already feeling the repercussions of that. I need help or we will end up in a shelter. I am asking for all the help I've given throughout all these years in social services.

I am asking if you don't or cant give to share this.

I am asking if you work for the NYC Department of education to share days with me.

I am asking for that same grace and hope I have given and currently have not been able to give myself.....

Please find it in your heart to help us achieve this miracle