Summary

I’m Ashley, and I’m asking for help for my mom, Theresa, and my brother, Austin. My mom has dedicated her life to caring for others—as a special education teacher for 15 years and as the sole caregiver for my disabled brother. In just a few months, she’s been forced to leave teaching due to health issues, lost a new job because of failing eyesight, was denied unemployment, and suffered severe storm damage to their home that exposed asbestos. With no income and mounting medical and housing expenses, my family is in urgent need of support.

Full Story

I am writing on behalf of my mother, Theresa, and my brother, Austin. Over the past year, my family has faced an overwhelming series of hardships that have left them in an incredibly difficult financial position. While friends and family have helped as much as they can, those resources have now been exhausted. With a heavy heart, I am reaching out to the community for any assistance you may be able to offer.

My mother has been a dedicated special education teacher for the past 15 years, while also serving as the primary caregiver for my brother. As many know, exceptional teachers go far beyond their job descriptions—and my mother has always been one of them. She has devoted herself to ensuring her students received the support and resources they needed to succeed, often advocating tirelessly on their behalf.

This same dedication has defined her role as a mother and caregiver. Navigating complex systems both professionally and personally, she has consistently taken on far more than most, always fighting for the best care and resources for my brother.

Over the past year, however, the physical and emotional toll of these responsibilities significantly impacted her health, forcing her to step away from her teaching career. More recently, she lost a new job due to worsening eyesight that made it unsafe for her to drive during dark hours. As the sole provider for the household and primary caregiver for my brother—who is disabled and requires a personal care assistant and skills training for daily living—this loss has been devastating.

Despite years of hard work and best efforts, she was denied unemployment benefits, leaving them without any source of income.

As if this were not enough, their home was recently damaged by a severe storm. The damage affected both the interior and exterior of the house and exposed asbestos that must be professionally removed. Because these urgent repairs and abatement have taken place over the holidays, navigating insurance and managing contractors has been extremely challenging. Currently, nearly half of their 700-square-foot home is uninhabitable.

In spite of everything, my mother continues to care for my brother while actively searching for employment closer to home. She has always done everything possible to provide a safe, stable, and loving environment for him.

With no income, mounting medical expenses, and urgent home repairs, my family is now in desperate need of community support.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference in their lives. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing their story with others who may be able to help.

Donations will go directly toward essential needs, including food and household supplies, immediate living expenses, medical care and treatment for my mother’s eyesight, specialized care and resources for my disabled brother, and critical home repairs and asbestos removal to ensure their home is safe and healthy once again.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read and for any support you can offer. Your kindness and generosity will help my family through this incredibly difficult time and restore hope for their future.

Sincerely,

Ashley Morton