Support Stormy's Family in Crisis

**update: We met the goal to catch this electric bill up and keep the power on. We cannot express enough how greatful we are and how much this has meant to us. I'm leaving this up as we will still need to make this bill monthly and until SSDI is approved, will not have a way to keep up with utilities on our own. **

Hi my two neurodivergant teens and I (I'm ND as well), are in bad spot financially. In an attempt to be brief I will just say that I am disabled and use an electric wheelchair to not only get around, but manage some of my health issues where dizziness and disorientation are an issue and this chairs ability to recline and get feet above heart, is a life saver. I also jav medication that requires refrigeration. Both my son and I have conditions that cause sever heat sensitivity and heat strokes. Below is a filler description of the issues.

We have no income as SSDI takes years and we are awaiting a hearing date. In the mean time we struggled to pay utilities. We have a housing voucher and food stamps so we are okay there. But the utility allowance checks are only $68 and they don't come every months. My 19 yr old, though anemic, donates plasma when able to help. But it hasn't been enough to satisfy Duke Energy. I was recently hospitalized for what was initially thought to be a stroke (I have a history of) but was determined to be a rare type of migraine that mimicks strokes and causes temporary neurological issues. I've had migraine and since I was a teen, but lose of all control over my lower half was new. Though I use a wheelchair, I can normally transfer and use a walker to go short distances, like to the bathroom. So this was an extreme loss of mobility in the span of 30 minutes after onset of this issue. I have a procedure Friday to hopefully help with that. But stress was the one thing I was told can prevent this debilitating type of migraine. But how can I not be stressed when I just found out today my electric is being shut off, today? Duke won't make any arrangements or extensions.

There are no programs in Florida to help low income or disabled with reduced utility bills or to pay in an emergency unless you can show income and the ability to pay and not get behind again. I have no proper use of any of my limbs. I have several debilitating health issues as a result. I have medication that requires refrigeration. And without ability to charge my chair, I can't even go for help when my phone runs out of battery. Both kids are again autistic and not able to go ask a neighbor for help. We are trapped inside this house if we don't have electricity. We just need help keeping the lights on. Duke demands $571 today to keep lights on, and that amount to restore if it's turned off. The full amount is more than that, but $571 buys us some time to figure it out.

We also work in rescue/TNR community cats and have cats indoors that won't fare well in this Florida heat either. My cat is a senior, and my 17 yr olds emotional support cat has a heart murmur. We try so hard to do what we can to help others, contribute to society however we can. We feed homeless humans and cats, we share what we have when we have it with whoever needs it. Happily...but this time we need help. I hate asking because I'm the one that supposed to take care of my family. The father isn't in the picture at all son it's just me. And I'm failing right now..but pride can't get in the way because my kids need me to figure this out. On such short notice all I can do is reach out to the village. Any donation helps us get closer to getting the power back on and is ever so appreciated.

Blessed Be

Stormy, Moon, Dakota, & kitties.