My wife, Sirène De La Mer, has always been the heart of our family and community. For 37 years, she’s dedicated herself to her work and to caring for others—she’s the kind of person everyone calls “everybody’s mom.” Now, she’s facing a lumbar synovial cyst that’s left her in daily pain, unable to work, and struggling with mobility. Our days are filled with medical appointments, bed rest, and the constant challenge of managing her pain with changing prescriptions. The emotional toll is heavy, and we’re both caretaking each other through our own medical disabilities, which has made this time even more isolating and difficult.

Sirène has also been my regular caregiver for a debilitating seizure disorder that sometimes leaves me unable to use my voice or walk. With her now unable to work and in need of care herself, our roles have shifted dramatically, and the challenges we face have only grown. This sudden health crisis has drained our emergency funds and left us worried about how we’ll cover the mounting medical bills, prescriptions, and basic living expenses while Sirène is out of work. We have already lost a portion of our income, and as her recovery continues, we are likely to lose even more. The cost of ongoing care is overwhelming. We had hoped to celebrate a larger commitment ceremony with friends and family this year, but those plans are on hold as we focus on getting Sirène the care she needs.

We’re reaching out for help to cover medical bills, prescriptions, lost income, and the cost of living while Sirène recovers. Any support will help us get through this difficult time and bring us closer to the day when Sirène can return to the work and community she loves so much. Thank you for reading and for any help you can offer.