Tara Bartlett is a devoted mother, cherished sister and loving friend who is now facing one of life’s most difficult challenges. She has been diagnosed with Mills' Syndrome, an exceedingly rare motor neuron disease that has taken away her ability to walk, speak, and swallow. Despite her strength and resilience, this illness has changed every aspect of her daily life, making even the simplest tasks impossible without constant support.

Tara’s greatest concern is for her 13-year-old son, Walt. As she navigates the pain management and palliative care needed at the late stages of this disease, the most urgent need right now is for in-home medical care. Unfortunately, these services are prohibitively expensive and insurance coverage for them is tenuous. Providing this support will allow Walt to remain at home with his mother, granting them the precious gift of time together outside of a hospital setting.

Tara is a deeply private and introspective person, and she’s also quite stubborn. While she did not ask for this fundraiser, her family and I have no doubt that she will thank us in the end, because every dollar raised will go toward helping the person she loves most in this world: her son. We are reaching out to our community for any support you can offer—your kindness and support will make a world of difference for Tara and Walt.