Support Stefanie's Fight for Health and Mobility

Hey all! My name is Jennifer, and Stefanie has been my best friend for 25 years. Her kids call me aunt, I call her mother my second mom, and she is my sister. Since the day we met, Stefanie has always been a go-getter. Even when life was not so kind to her, she has kept a positive attitude and would give the last piece of bread in the house to someone in need.

Stefanie and I would spend hours upon hours biking around the countryside and even to other towns, rain, snow, or shine. I have never known her to be one to sit down, always helping everyone before herself, and ALWAYS showing up for anyone and everyone no matter who, what, when, or where.

However, Stefanie has struggled with a neurological disorder since 2010. Even so, she has always been a hard worker, working long hours in photography since 2008, coming home to be a mother to their 5 daughters. By 2020, she could no longer do her job in photography due to her neurological symptoms worsening. She tried multiple other jobs to attempt to work around her declining health. She became completely unable to work in 2023. She now has additional health issues the doctors are struggling to identify. The doctors are exploring autoimmune disorders, rare genetic conditions, and following up on a tumor found on her spine as well as concerns in her brain scans. She is losing her mobility. It's a struggle to access the lower half of their home, creating additional challenges. She has days she cannot even walk to her front door. She has many falls which risk further injuries. Some days are worse than others. She often requires the use of mobility aids.

Due to Stefanie's many health difficulties, her husband Brandon has been working long, hard hours since becoming a one-income household to provide for their family, coming home to also take care of Stefanie and the children. Brandon was injured on the job in January when his company sent him out in the icy conditions. He now has permanent restrictions, and they unexpectedly let him go from his job due to these restrictions in July. He will now require a change of careers.

Stefanie filed for disability in 2023 and is awaiting an upcoming hearing. In the meantime, there are many additional expenses not covered by insurance that they're now struggling to afford: mobility aids, assistive devices, medication costs, additional out-of-pocket testing, and medical expenses on top of everyday living expenses for the family. Stefanie has many travel expenses as her medical specialists are out of town. Stefanie and Brandon reduce costs as much as possible for the extended days, and they coordinate doing as many appointments on the same trip as possible.

Stefanie and Brandon have often dropped everything to help others, opening their home to share with various families and friends in need throughout the years, and volunteering in the community often. They're usually the first to help when someone is in need and will give everything they can, sacrificing their own needs to help others. Even now, in their difficulties, they continue to help others often.

Unexpectedly becoming a one-income family has caused a great hardship, leaving a lot of debt, and the children have suffered not being able to participate in activities and events often. Their savings are long gone, and they now have expensive car repairs as well. The family needs help to continue to pay for everyday living expenses as well as all the additional care, travel, and medical expenses.

Stefanie and Brandon are truly two of the most incredible people in the world, and they are constantly being dealt tough times. I know the power of prayer and community can help make a difference for both of them and their beautiful girls.

Please help if you can. ♡