TRIPLE TRAGEDY Retired School Teacher Ms.Marshall

My name is Qualan Opico. I am starting this GoFundMe for Sarah Marshall. We have been best friends and teachers for over 25 years.

WHAT HAPPENED

On August 30th 2022 a fire occurred at Ms. Marshall's home from which she escaped with basically only the clothes on her back. Her home was declared a total loss and her two beloved dogs, Buster and Duke, perished in the fire. She had a small insurance policy that helped her replace her clothes and necessary items with which to start over but, at the age of 65, she was homeless for 3 months before being able to move into the small rental home she had on her property. This was because the tenant that previously occupied the unit would not vacate even after being ordered to do so by the local magistrate for nonpayment of rent and chasing Ms. Marshall with a butcher knife to the horror of multiple witnesses.

ANOTHER BAD BREAK

In April of 2023 Ms. Marshall suffered a crushed vertebrae in her lower back as the result of a fall complicated by osteopenia. At the same time, she contracted a serious infection that left her hospitalized for 3 weeks, 11 days of which were in the intensive care unit. She was in and out of the hospital spending only one week of the next 3 months at home. During those three months in the hospital and the following eight months in orthopedic rehab and physical therapy at home she got strong enough to walk again unassisted and take care of most of her personal needs, but she is still unable to live by herself. She is currently awaiting neurosurgery on her spine in the Texas Medical Center after which she faces another lengthy recovery.

YET ANOTHER TRAGEDY

On January 22, 2024, tragedy struck again. After returning home from the grocery store Sarah heard a strange noise outside the front door. When she and her roommate opened the door to check on the noise they were met with a wall of intensely hot flames and thick, black smoke. All of the people and animals made it out of the burning house alive, but the mobile home was another total loss and this time there was no insurance to help her recover from the second total loss in 16 months. This fire is under investigation for arson and, consequently, the fire of August 30, 2022, is being reviewed for arson as well.

Ms. Marshall lives on a small teacher's pension and spent her savings and insurance money from the first fire on putting her life back together after the first fire. Another total loss of her home coupled with a severe back injury has made it impossible for her to bounce back again. Therefore, we are asking for your prayers and your assistance to help replace her furniture, household goods, personal items and another mobile home to place on her land or other suitable place where she may be able to live.

Every dollar donated will go directly towards providing Sarah Marshall with the support and resources she needs to navigate this challenging journey.

Any amount you are willing to give will be tremendously appreciated and, if you are not able to contribute money at this time, keeping her in your prayers and

sharing this Go Fund Me with your family and friends would mean the world to me and the other people Ms. Marshall touched in her many years teaching elementary school in Houston and Denton, Texas.

With sincere gratitude,

Qualan Opico