My name is Laura Morris and I’m trying to raise money for myself, husband and daughter. I never thought we would be in the position we’re in, having to ask for help. It’s a very humbling and emotional thing to do. My husband has been disabled since 2008, after a lung cancer diagnosis and then in 2011 with a brain tumor. He has beat all the odds and will be on disability for the duration of his life.

I’ve been a housewife, caregiver, and homeschooled my daughter all these years until she graduated in 2021. We’ve definitely weathered the years with so much. Life has been quite the roller coaster for us needless to say. My husband had struggles with his health often, having pneumonia several times throughout the years. And then having a heart attack a couple years ago. He has to be careful of what he does physically and is limited to lighter duties around the house.

Most of the things around our home fall on my daughter and myself. But mostly on my daughter now because the past year and a half I have started struggling physically with what has been basically an undiagnosed autoimmune disease. My doctor back in 2004 had me tested for the common ones, which came back negative. So due to the high levels of inflammation they concluded it was likely fibromyalgia. While over the years the flare ups would come and go, I have been able to manage most of the pain with over the counter meds. Though as of recent I am having more occurring flares, and regular meds do not seem to help.

I have developed osteoarthritis in my knees and my wrists. My right knee being the worst and causing balance problems. We live in a two story house, and I’m having to be extra careful going up and down the stairs. Just recently I took a hard fall getting out of the bathtub and fell on my left knee, the better of the two. I just thank God that it wasn’t my right knee causing further damage, and that I didn’t break anything! But both knees are stiff making things a little more difficult. My right knee swells and causes my lower leg, ankle and foot stiffness and pain as well. I try to do as much as can to help by soaking in Epsom salt, icing both knees and ankles to using topical creams.

While these help some, there is still no real improvement. I’ve gone to the doctor, and have to pay out of pocket because the market place insurance my daughter and I had went up. We just can’t afford it. We have been living on my husband’s disability which isn’t much, blown through savings, and run credit cards up almost maxing them out just to keep getting by.

We realized back in the spring that we most likely needed to move, downsizing to a smaller house with no stairs, and cashing out of our home of almost 21 years. My daughter began listing stuff for sale around here, as we don’t need much of what we have anymore, and wouldn’t be able to take it to a smaller home. We were trying to hurry but this past summer was just so hot and my husband and I struggled more with physical setbacks. And of course my daughter wasn’t able to do it solely on her own. She is now a caregiver to both of us, helping out with whatever is needed. Now here we are in the fall and have found ourselves coming down to the wire, with funds being extremely low to the point of having to put off some payments that are now stacking up.

As I’ve said, we are at that stage where moving is the best option for us. But we also need to get current on our monthly bills so we can make our way onto the next step. Just at a point where we are having to unfortunately ask for any financial help and prayers.

Our goal is to get what we need paid up, sell our home, find another one that is more suitable for where we are at physically. Work on getting some kind of healthcare for me and my daughter as well so we can work on health and wellness. Oh and we have 3 doggies too, one small and two medium to large girls that we love and have to take care of too. Sadly pet care isn’t that affordable either. So we’re saying prayers that we can get through this tough time. Any help would be so greatly appreciated! We could really use it. Thank you so much and God bless everyone!