Marty Brown

I’m sharing this on behalf of a close friend who would never ask for help herself, but who is now facing a crisis she cannot navigate alone. For many years, my friend has been quietly fighting two incredibly difficult battles: a long and complex health journey and a deeply painful marriage that is now ending in divorce. More than a decade ago, her life changed dramatically when she became seriously ill after Lyme disease triggered a cascade of chronic health conditions. Since 2012, she has been battling autoimmune and inflammatory illnesses, including psoriatic arthritis, hemochromatosis, chronic fatigue, severe joint pain, migraines, digestive issues, and other complications that affect her daily functioning. Before becoming disabled, she worked for the State for over 12 years. Eventually, her health declined to the point where she could no longer maintain full-time employment and had to go on disability. Despite the physical pain and limitations she faces every day, she has continued to fight for her health and independence. At the same time, her marriage became increasingly unstable due to the long-term addiction and destructive behavior of her husband. She spent years trying to support her husband and encourage him to seek help. She endured multiple overdose scares and countless difficult situations while trying to hold her family together. After years of trying to save the marriage, she ultimately made the painful decision to file for divorce in order to protect her health and her and her family's future. Unfortunately, the situation has only escalated since then. Her husband has now stopped paying the mortgage and household bills that he had always managed during the marriage, leaving her suddenly responsible for a $2,200 monthly mortgage while living on disability income. The divorce process has already stretched over a year and continues to drain the limited resources she has. The home at risk is not just a house. It sits on land that has been in her family for 80 years. Her parents gave each of their children a small portion of the farm so they could build homes and stay close together. She built her home there with the intention of living near her mother and family for support as she manages her disabilities. Her home was even designed with her health limitations in mind, with one-floor living to accommodate her physical challenges. Losing this home would mean losing not only her stability but also the place her family intended to remain part of their farm for generations to come. Despite everything she is facing, she is trying to create a sustainable path forward. Her plan is to finish the basement apartment in her home so she can rent it out and generate income to help cover the mortgage. She also hopes to rent out a small outbuilding on the property in order to create additional income streams that would allow her to remain financially stable once the divorce is finalized. Unfortunately, the legal costs, mortgage payments, and living expenses during this process are overwhelming for someone living on disability. Donations will help her: • Keep up with mortgage payments • Cover ongoing legal expenses needed to finalize the divorce • Complete the basement apartment so it can be rented for income • Maintain basic stability while navigating serious health challenges She has spent years fighting for her health and trying to hold her life together through incredibly difficult circumstances. She is not asking for a handout — only for a chance to stabilize her situation so she can continue living safely in the home she built and remain close to her family. Any support, whether through a donation or simply sharing this page, would mean the world. Thank you for helping give my friend a chance to keep her home and rebuild her life.