Save Sarah's Home

My name is Miriam. Sarah is my Mom. My mom and little sister could lose their home without our help. My mom is always advocating for others and helping people overcome obstacles. During Covid, Mom came home to homeschool my little sister and nephew so my older sister could finish her registered nursing program. Covid drained her savings, but she never lost her faith. She looked forward to returning to case management to provide for her family. But within a few months, Mom became increasingly ill and was in constant pain. She suffered a horrible allergic reaction to gabapentin and her doctors think she has MS on top of severe osteoarthritis and severe disk degenerative disease. Mom has always helped other people. Please help me help my mom. Read my Mom's story and give to help Save Sarah's Home.

Our goal is $106,000

Mom and my little sister, Naomi, and our dog Jessie.

Hi, my name is Sarah. I am a nature-loving, Christain mother of 8, nana of 2, a qualified mental health associate, a lifetime volunteer, and an advocate facing displacement due to medical vulnerability and mental duress. This is my 2022 story.

My crazy tribe, 8 children and 2 grands

In February 2022, I was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis and severe disc degenerative disease in addition to a trigger finger, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel in my dominant hand making it impossible to work. Within a month my bones would ache 24/7, muscle spasms in my back would jerk me awake throughout the night, and my arms, legs, ribs, and across my chest burned insanely. I felt on fire continuously.

In May 2022, I experienced a severe allergic reaction to gabapentin prescribed for nerve pain that created a psychotic break. On day 4 of gabapentin, I couldn’t get on top of sadness and grief crying for almost 7 hours. By day 9, I sat in my car in my driveway with brutal images of suicide taunting me too terrified to go inside. Medicine-induced chemical imbalance and reason warring with each other. I dialed Pastor John Kays who talked me through the chemically induced battle raging in my head. After an ER visit, I stayed with my dear friends Anna and Caleb Redfield, Wycliff missionaries. I was shaken emotionally, exhausted, and still in constant pain.

"She knew joy was one of her best accessories,

so she made up her mind to wear it every day."

June, July, August. In the months that followed, I experienced increased dizziness, imbalance, blurred vision, a left eye that jerked, light sensitivity, incontinence, muscle weakness and rigidity, and cognitive decline. This has led my team of doctors to believe I have MS or another brain disease/disorder. I had to create a visual chart to check off basic daily activities. I felt lost and scared. Finances became increasingly tight. My savings had drained between Covid coming home to homeschool my daughter and grandson, followed by this chronic illness. My doctors and therapists urged me not to return to work, continue with medical care, and file for disability. I was discouraged and exhausted, as we lived month to month selling things to get by.

My granddaughter, Emerald knows just how I felt :(

In September 2022, I said, “No,” several times to an offer of financial help. After my daughter Miriam and I were assured there were no strings attached such as special benefits or housing, I agreed to have the balance of my mortgage paid off. I understood a contract and a will would be created. But instead, while medically and mentally vulnerable, and under duress, I signed a warranty deed not understanding at all its potential legal consequences that have now put my family at risk of losing our home without help.

It has been one of the loneliest times in my life behind closed doors crying out to God for help navigating the pain and confusion. I am private when it comes to relationships, financial, and medical struggles. Most of my friends, family, and members were not aware of the numerous battles we faced daily. I tried to keep a smile on my face, took care of my home and family, served on the worship and technical teams at my church, attended meetings between my medical appointments, and opened my home to a family of 5 facing homelessness. I began behavior therapy and trauma therapy weekly to deal with the reemergent disruptive memories of pervasive childhood trauma and domestic violence and the psychological repercussions of my reaction to gabapentin.

Our hearts and home are open to serving others.

It was a blessing to have this beautiful family stay

in our home. It helped me smile on hard days.

November 2022, I experienced significant relief after I was anointed with oil and my Pastor, John Kays, prayed over me. This opened the door for me to go to Guatemala, serving as Chaplain on a Work and Witness mission trip. While there my symptoms subsided. It was healing, mind, body, and soul. I prayed about the decisions I had made in the months prior and who I had turned to, seeking direction for the days ahead. Returning, my BP heightened and during this time neurological symptoms and nerve pain have returned with a vengeance with greater muscle rigidity. It seems whatever my body and mind are fighting, ebb and flow. Please pray we can identify the source of affliction and that our family has peace as we address my medical and financial needs. In Guatemala, I experienced many miracles when a team of 27 worked in unity with our brothers and sisters on the ground. Together, I believe we can save our home.

Work and Witness Mission Guatemala, Puerto Barios

December 2022, It’s Christmas, and we are facing displacement if we can’t come up with the money in full. Because I signed the warranty deed while under duress, our home of 10 years in a safe neighborhood, with wonderful neighbors, is under threat of being sold. If not paid in full, the other party has said they could take us to court, press for the sale of our home, and pursue half the equity of our home which is considerably higher than what was given. This would result in even greater medical and mental vulnerability and financial ruin. If forced to sell, we wouldn’t have enough money left over after realtor fees, closing costs, paying the debt, and the buyer’s cost to purchase another home. Nor can I get a loan without a job and waiting on disability. We would be displaced from our home, lose most of our belongings, be forced to leave our hometown and church to live with family, and lose access to my established medical and mental health network.

Last Christmas lots of smiles in front of our home.

I pray there will be many, many more to come.

Over the years, I've worked with a lot of wonderful people who I had the privilege of helping to get back on their feet. I have worked so hard to provide my family with a safe, secure, and peaceful home. It is heartwrenching to think we could lose it, because of the decision I made when I was medically and mentally vulnerable. Please help me keep our home. This amount of money seems impossible, but I know nothing is impossible with God. And together we could Save Sarah's Home. Whatever you can give $1 to $20,000, we will be so grateful.

Next to the ocean and forest, this is my happy

spot. Here I feel safe, secure, peace, and love.

We are attempting to raise $106,000 to save our home.

Please spread the word to Save Sarah’s Home. Share our story and this GoFund link with your family, friends, and network through social media adding a note to Save Sarah’s Home.

God bless you abundantly,

Sarah June Levesque

#SaveSarahsHome

Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2023 from our home to yours