Help for the Dugas Family

I am writing on behalf of a woman with whom I have worked with for the past 6 years.  In the time I have known Sarah Dugas, I have watched her persevere through many road blocks and hardships in life just to be where she is today. Currently she is in dire need of emotional and financial support, so I asked her to share her current circumstances in hopes we can come together and assist her as much as possible. Once you read her story, you too will be able to see what I have seen in her all these years...a strong, single mother who has an unwavering will to overcome insurmountable hardships coupled with an an everlasting faith and belief that everything will be okay! Please read her story and let's come together to help her through what just may be the biggest test in her faith yet.   -Sandra Mendoza

Dugas Family Story
May of this year 2019, my family was hit with some life changing news. My youngest son, Maielle, was diagnosed with a rare disease called Systemic Sclerosis better known as Scleroderma. What I initially thought to be simply sprained fingers and a sprained leg turned out to be the effects of a disease that hardens his skin and joints. To top it off, he was diagnosed with the rarest form called Diffused Scleroderma, which is even more uncommon in children. Yet here he is, a 6-year old diabetic child with now another autoimmune attack on his body. At first I was faithful and felt God would take care of us.  Although I still believe this, I have now grown a bit weary. Due to this disease, we now have to travel to see many different specialists, as several parts of his body are affected. Our lives now consist of monthly intravenous treatments, weekly visits to occupational and physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons for his right leg and foot that have stopped growing and are now locked up, and visits to the hand surgeon to figure out how to fix his hands that have locked into a curled position.  We also visit the dermatologist to help with the tightening of his skin and morphia, cardiologists to make sure his heart has not developed scar tissue, and overall just a host of doctors, as this disease effects the whole body. My son's case is unique, as there are no prior case studies on a male child as young as Maielle, and being diabetic as well.  What I will celebrate, however, is that even in this hardship God has blessed him not to feel pain commonly associated with this disease. Even with his progression, the doctors are amazed he does not have organ involvement or failure yet considering how advanced his disease is. So needless to say we have been busy, which brings me to the reason I have reached out.  I am a single mother of 3 boys, ages 9 and twins ages 6; Malikai, Michael, and Maielle. Being the only provider, we are wholly dependent on my income. I work full time and this has been the blessing to keep my family afloat despite being a single parent. Due to this drastic chain of events, I have hit a dilemma and have run out of resources, used up my sick and vacation time, and I am up to my neck in loans trying to keep our livelihood. I have missed many days of work to keep up with Maielle's new normal and I have slipped into a financial downward spiral. Just last year we were homeless due to a diabetic chain of events that caused a shortage in our finances. By the grace of God, after 8 months we were able to overcome this hardship and moved back into stable housing. Right now, however, I am fearful of once again becoming homeless during this trying time of battling Maielle's disease, as I am two months short on rent. Scleroderma has caused a great stress on Maielle's diabetes, as well as bringing out my own health issues of intense stress levels.

  So in a desperate attempt for help, I am setting aside my pride and reaching out hoping to touch your hearts and to look at helping me maintain the safety and wellbeing of my children.  Anything is so greatly appreciated and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story!  -Sarah Dugas