My name is Shelby and I’m 28 years old. I’m a PreK teacher and have a five-year-old son.

My brother and I were separated as minors when our mother sadly overdosed. My brother was sent to a mental health community to help him learn how to live on his own. The state of Missouri has had guardianship over him since he was 17 years old, including now, as a 31-year-old adult.

My goal is to raise money for an attorney. I have spent so much money and time working with his guardians to get my brother more freedom. We are trying to move him closer to me and his nephew. Since trying to do that, they are trying to move him further away from us. It’s been very frustrating because I’m younger than him, and because we have no support system, they don’t take me seriously.

At this point, all I want is to know what’s going on with my brother. I want him to be happy, healthy, and supported. My brother has begged me to become his guardian, but I don’t have the funds to hire an attorney. Teachers don’t make very much.

Me and my brother would be so grateful if you could help. We just want to be in each other’s lives. I feel like my brother deserves so much better than what he’s getting.