Starting Again... Again

My name is Shelly. In the picture are my two children. Jared is 16 and Leah is 13.

Jared has Downs Syndrome and Autism. He was also diagnosed with Epilepsy two weeks ago. Jar

Leah is a bright, beautiful 7th grader who loves school, loves her friends, and is ALWAYS an amazing "big, little sister".

From 2014 until 2022 we lived in a very reclusive, controlling, and abusive environment. With the help of others, we escaped, literally, with just the clothes on our backs. As a small family and with the help of my then partner, we began again.

We have had to learn how to live "out here" again. We have had to learn how to handle money, have relationships, and unlearn so many dangerous things that we had been fed for so long.

It has been an uphill battle filled with Complex PTSD, nightmares, depression, fear, not believing in ourselves, and the absolute NEED to push through and overcome.

Today the children and I (without my partner who I am no longer with) find ourselves living in a borrowed camper in an RV park. Time is running out for us in this camper and we will have to return it by the end of the month. We have the opportunity to purchase a used one with bunks so the children have beds, but with Jared's new diagnosis I can't work outside the home because I need to be available at all time in case he has a seizure.

I receive no financial assistance from the children's biological father or from the government. I'm doing this all on my own.

The children were both born in Australia and while they are American citizens because of me, their American born mother, I cannot get Social Security Numbers for them because they came into the country on Australian Visitors Visas. Apparently this has caused a HUGE glitch in the USCIS (immigration) system and no one knows how to get around it. Therefore, I have no citizenship papers for them which the Social Security Administration requires in order to give them SSN's. Without those, they are completely in eligible for any government benefits whatsoever.

I have recently broken my ankle and have had to call 911 three different times for both myself and Jared, with whole days spent at different hospitals. Needless to say, the medical bills are piling up.

Today what our little family needs is a camper of our own to have some sort of security to feel safe, without the threat of our home being taken away. We also need medication that is ready for us at the pharmacy but that I just don't have the funds to pick up. One of those medications is anti seizure medication for Jared. He's currently going without.

Until I can get work from home and SSN's for the children we would be incredibly grateful for any help you are willing to give. This is a huge lesson in humility for me but I'm willing to ask for my children.

Please feel free to ask any questions you might have. I've only scratched the surface of our story here.

Thank you for reading about our life and for considering us in our giving. We truly appreciate you!!