After 10 long years of addiction and homelessness, in 2018 I finally surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, and by the grace of God my life was completely transformed. There were times I never thought I would survive, let alone become the mother my children deserve. Today, I am sober, fighting every day to keep moving forward, and trying to build a healthier future for my family.
I’m humbly asking for help raising $7,000 for bariatric surgery. The surgery costs $11,000 but I have $4,000 toward the surgery. Asking for help is incredibly hard for me, but I have reached a point where I know I cannot do this alone.
This surgery is not about appearance — it is about my health, my mobility, and being here for my daughters. My 8-year-old daughter is autistic and full of energy. She can run into the street without warning, and I live in constant fear that one day I won’t be physically fast enough to protect her. The thought of something happening to her because my body failed me absolutely breaks my heart. I also have a beautiful 4-year-old daughter who deserves a mother that can run, play, and truly keep up with her. I want my girls to grow up with a healthy mother they can look up to, not one trapped in pain and limited by her health.
For 6 years, I worked at a job I truly loved as a teacher for disabled adults. It gave me purpose and fulfillment, and I poured my heart into helping others every single day. Then I suffered a serious back injury that changed everything. I lost the career I loved because I could no longer physically perform my duties, and losing my health insurance right after was devastating. Doctors later found bulging discs, arthritis in my spine, and other painful complications. I was told that my weight is putting even more pressure on my spine and making my condition worse.
I try so hard. Eating healthier is something I work on daily, but finding exercises that don’t leave me in severe pain feels almost impossible. Obesity and diabetes run heavily in my family, and I’m terrified of continuing that cycle. I don’t want my daughters to watch me slowly lose my health. I want to be present for birthdays, graduations, late-night talks, school events, and all the little moments that matter most.
I know this is a huge amount of money, and I know times are hard for everyone. But if you can donate even $1, it would mean more to me than words could ever explain. Small acts of kindness add up, and even simply sharing this fundraiser or praying for our family could help change our lives forever.
Thank you for reading my story, for seeing me as someone trying her best to overcome so much, and for giving me hope that I can continue rebuilding my life. God bless you all. ✝️
