Hi, my name is Samantha. I am 43 years old and have been through a lot within my lifetime. I try my best to help those in need. This time I am the one in desperate need!

It has been a hard and long road. I have been fighting to survive since birth. I was born approximately 3 and half months premature, at 2 pounds 9 ½ ounces. I was a whopping 12 inches long, not as big as a Barbie doll. Even in the 80's that was not something a baby survived, I was on feeding tubes, a breathing mattress and an oxygen tent. My parents couldn’t even hold me for 2 weeks. I developed yellow jaundice, but they put me under special blue lights, and it went away in about 5 hours. But I came into this world fighting and I refuse to give up!

When I was a kid in school, I swear the teachers in Nevada did not know what asthma was and not only did kids mistreat me, but the teachers did as well. I even had a teacher get upset with my coughing. She decided that hard candy would help me and shut me up. Well, I’m not going to turn down candy, but it didn’t help. I decided to pack up my things and walk out of the classroom but the teacher decided to put her hands on me to make me sit down, this was in 5th grade. Don't worry, I did not sit back down, and I went to the nurse's office, after telling the teacher, if you do not remove your hand, I will HAVE YOUR JOB!!! Needless to say,

1. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for giving me that advice

2. She let go and gasped!!!

School was even harder with me being in the hospital at least 3 or 4 times a year and each time I was in the hospital, I was in ICU for 3 or 4 days. The doctors would tell my parents this is the one that is going to end her life. Well, listen here doctors. I AM STILL HERE!!!!!

School would not let me be home schooled because you must be out for a certain period of time. I think it was 2 weeks, and I was always out for about a week and a half, but we didn’t know that until it was too late. Then they wanted a signed excuse from my doctor, which we had. Then they said it wasn’t good enough because my absences weren’t for an entire day. Well, that was because either I got sick during the day or had doctors’ apps. My Mom and Dad argued with the school until they were blue in the case, but the school kicked me out anyway. I went back to school when we moved states, and they did everything they could to accommodate my illness, but by that time, other illnesses were turning up and I decided to just get my GED. Which I did on my first try with just using the book as a study guide.

With being ill and getting knocked down again and again. My day to day is not a good quality of life and unfortunately with my severe Chronic Asthma, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and my Multiple Sclerosis makes everything a lot harder to do or to be able to do anything. I tried and tried to get back up and do normal everyday life things. Trying to keep jobs but that is getting harder and harder the less mobile I can be. My wrist and fingers are now having some issues. Even while typing this, therefore, it is taking a lot longer to get my message out.

Even with all my illnesses I thought I found a great man that loved me and would be there for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, I was completely wrong. Not only was he NOT a great man but I had a horrible divorce. I was with him for 24 years, since I was 15 years old. Even though before we were married, he was aware of all my illnesses and limitations. He came home one day and said, "coming home to you is like having a second job".

That was my final straw. We filed for divorce. I just wanted to get away from him after also learning he hid money and was cheating on me. I thought we were meant for better things and even with my illnesses I thought we could get through anything and grow old together. I didn't realize that while it was happening, that I was extremely depressed with him, and he neglected my health needs skipping medication to save money. He mentally and financially abused me, in every way he could.

While the divorce was going through, he brought his mistress to our home, while I was still living there. This was also in the pandemic when the woman was also married herself. I was so concerned about my life and health. They never wore masks, washed their hands or took even minimal precautions. My ex-husband refused to allow me to have the house to rent out and make some income. He even took half the money when it was sold because he needed it for his girlfriend and her child.

Even though that was incredibly horrible it led me to the path I am on today. Yes, my health is getting worse but even though I was not looking for love I found it in the most incredible man I have ever met. I found a man who is loving, caring and respectful. He loves me with all of his heart, and I love him. He understands my illnesses and respects me. He knows I push myself further much further than I can, and he is right there to pick me back up. He takes incredible care of me and makes sure I have everything I need with my health, body and mind. I feel completely blessed to have such a great man who also treats me the way I deserve. I hope he knows how much I appreciate him and love everything about him.

With the money from the house sale, which wasn't a lot, I bought myself a small trailer. Unfortunately, I couldn't buy one that was on my own land, it is in a trailer park which has a high lot rent for something with no amenities but it's a home and it is mine!

I am now on Short-Term disability with work that might move to long-term disability. We're currently trying to see what is going on with my wrist, MetLife sent me 2 payment which wasn't much, and they placed the next payments on hold.

My primary doctor said the paperwork is ridiculous, he gets asked less questions on government disability. Luckily my primary doctor is filling out more paperwork for MetLife so that I hopefully soon they will continue payments. However, my job is already threatening to fire me. I know that this is illegal, but it doesn't help me with the bills right now. I am behind 3 months in lot rent payments, and they are about to remove me from the only thing I was able to get out of the divorce. When you fail to pay lot rent, you forfeit your home, and they trailer pack gets ownership. This is a broken system, and they need to change it!

I don't know what to do. I am struggling so much and in tears. Unfortunately, my parents can’t help me, they are on a fixed income. My dad has 3 stents in his chest for his heart. He also has migraines every day, that doctors have not been able to do anything about. In 2010, he was mugged at work and hit on the back of the head with a tire iron. It crushed his skull slightly and created scar tissue just at the occipital nerves. He’s had to major acute strokes.

My mom has Parkinson’s and has a hard time speaking and writing. Also because of her bad back, the result of a work injury at AT&T 35 years ago, she can hardly walk. They do what they can, which they think isn’t a lot which financially it isn't but emotionally they are the most incredible people that anyone would be lucky to meet, and I am beyond grateful that they are my parents.

I will be sharing more of my life stories as time goes by. Please be patient. Which my illnesses it might take a little more time. Thank you for listening to my story. I don't like to ask for help but sometimes we have to reach out for a helping hand. I am asking you for your Help!

Thank you