Support the Cantrell Family in Crisis

Hello everyone. Most of you who are reading this probably know us, the Cantrells, fairly well. Some of you may not. I'm going to tell you a story about one of the most difficult 12-month periods we as a family have ever experienced.

It all started in May 2024 when my mother died, and we didn't have the funds available to bury her or do anything after her passing. God provided for us, though, through a GoFundMe, and I've never been more grateful for the people in my life who donated. We were able to cover the entire cost of cremation and get my mom an urn and a display cabinet for my dad's place. It's beautiful.

Shortly following that, my 13-year-old son, Elijah, who suffers from autism, ADHD, and ARFID, which is a kind of eating disorder, was hospitalized for being severely underweight. He was there for a week.

He was hospitalized again for a severe infection in his eye in November, which could have spread to his brain. He suffered from a 106-degree fever and had to be put in a coma. By God's grace, he pulled through.

And that brings me to March of this year. I'm a professional writer by trade (17 years now), and all at once, out of the blue, four of my client sites shut down, cutting almost all of my income. I now make $300 a week. As you probably figured out, that's not enough to support a family of four. Not even close.

Well, I assumed I would be able to find new work right away, which is usually the case. One week went by. Then two. Three. Nothing. Not a single new job. Meanwhile, I can't afford to pay my rent, my car insurance, my phone has been shut off, my car could get repoed at any time, and we barely have enough to eat week-to-week.

The good news is, last week, I got a big new client. Bad news is I won't receive any sort of payment until next month. My rent is due in several days and I have zero money to pay it with.

And that brings me to this fundraiser. I'm asking, if it is at all possible, to help donate so that we can reach what we need for one month of bills so I can get on my feet and we don't lose our apartment. If you can't give, that's okay. Please share this fundraiser around so that we can get to a place where we'll be okay.

I'm also taking steps to ensure I don't end up in this mess again. I'm finishing my bachelor degree and seeking better, full-time employment in my field or really anything. Please pray for success in this area.

God bless you all.