Hi everyone,

My name is Sydney Smith, and I'm organizing this fundraiser for my incredible mom, Robin Smith. I’m reaching out to our community, friends, and anyone with a compassionate heart after a devastating tornado tore through our neighborhood, severely damaging our home.

I wanted my mom to share her story in her own words—because no one can tell it better than she can:

My name is Robin Smith, and I’m the proud mother of two extraordinary daughters—both earning full-ride scholarships for academics and athletics. While raising them, I’ve been fighting every day against two rare, incurable diseases: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Gastroparesis.

Just last Friday, May 16, 2025, a devastating tornado tore through our St. Louis neighborhood, destroying the roof of our home, leaving parts of it exposed to the elements, ripping apart our garage, and leaving our backyard in ruins. The estimated cost to repair the damage is $25,000—an amount far beyond my fixed disability income. We're setting an initial goal of $10,000 to begin urgent roof and structural repairs, but our ultimate need is $25,000 to fully restore our home. Every dollar brings us closer to safety and stability.

Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome means I endure relentless, severe pain in my muscles and joints—a constant companion since sixth grade that often makes even the simplest daily tasks unbearable. EDS makes every movement a fight against pain. For 20 years, I’ve also battled Gastroparesis, but the past seven years have been the hardest, marked by nearly weekly bouts of uncontrollable nausea and vomiting requiring hospital visits each time. This relentless cycle has drained my body, causing me to lose over 85 pounds and leaving me weakened and exhausted. Now, this disaster has made the physical and emotional demands of recovery almost unbearable, threatening my ability to care for myself and support my daughters as they pursue their dreams.

Despite these overwhelming challenges, I’ve poured my heart and strength into being the best mother I can be. I’ve never stopped believing in my daughters’ potential or doing everything in my power to help them thrive. I designed custom learning plans, provided tutoring, and instilled in them the belief that they could achieve anything. Today, their dreams are coming true:

My oldest daughter is a rising senior at Spelman College on a full academic scholarship.

My youngest daughter is about to start her freshman year at Jackson State University on a full track scholarship.

Now, everything we’ve worked so hard for is at risk because of this tornado disaster. Your generosity will help us urgently repair our home, restore our sense of security, and allow me to focus on my health and my daughters’ futures without the added weight of this devastation.

Whether you’re able to donate or simply share our story, every act of kindness brings us closer to rebuilding our home and our lives.

With deepest gratitude,

Robin Smith