Where do I even start...
First I'd like to say thank you for just taking the time to read our story and thank you if you decide to give whatever you can to help us through this difficult time.
My son Brayden has no idea I am struggling to make ends meet and it's because my mother, who is also suffering, took us in and opened her arms and welcomed us to live with her and my hard working step father, who is an Registered Nurse. I am very grateful for this because without them I would be couch hopping. Just saying that and admitting this puts tears in my eyes. I was blessed to have parents that put me through a catholic school for all of grammar school and high school. The summer after high school I went to CNA school to get certified and begin the process of becoming an RN like my stepfather, John. They also paid out of pocket for me to go to college and get my degree which I am unbelievably grateful for because not that many people are blessed with that opportunity. I did everything I could to pass Nursing. The second year of nursing I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I began taking a series of medications to help overcome the pain. These medications, the pain, the restless nights, the stress and anxiety mixed with the demanding stressful nursing program all became overwhelming. I ended up failing nursing by 2 points. I was told I couldn't retake the one class I would have to redo the entire program. WHAT?! I was devastated! I couldn't leave the parking lot I was sobbing my eyes out. I let every down! I'm a failure!
With in a year I was balanced with my medications, handling my pain through therapy, and managing my stress the best I could. I went through many jobs as a CNA and different living situations. 2013 I met a man who I thought was the one. 2014 I was pregnant with my first child. I discovered that my sons father was an out of control alcoholic who was very abusive towards me. While I was 7months pregnant he punched me so hard in the back of my head as I was driving on I-90 and gave me a concussion. Baby was fine, thank god. We then separated! He never made an effort to support his child or ask to see him. 2018 he fought to be able to claim our son on his taxes. I claimed my son as I did every year since he was born. His lawyer went after me and won! I now have to pay that money back to the IRS and have to pay legal and his lawyer fees. I still owe that money to his lawyer which is close to $4000. I then discovered that since he was able to file for our son that all of the child tax credits given out were given to him. WHAT!? He pays for child support so how does he get all that money? I am fighting for my son to get that money back because he doesn't deserve a dime. Seem harsh? Well March 16th 2021 my son was in his care and he decided to get drunk. He ended up choking my son. I have had a restraining order filed against him since then and he hasn't even been in his care. Mind you he lives 2 hrs away so he only sees his son about 30-35 times per year. All of the extra cirriculer activities I pay for and he is suppose to pay for have court ordered. He hasn't. I need help!
2020 I was diagnosed with degenerative disc's disease of my spine. I have needed to wear a neck brace at times to help support my neck in order to hold my head up because it just feels like a 100lbs of pressure on my bones. There are times it is hard to stand let alone sit straight up in a chair. My lower back discs L5-S1 are bone on bone and sometime I can't even walk. This has made me finding a new job difficult. I'm only 34 years old. WHY?!
In July of 2021 my dog of 12 years ate rat poison that was carelessly laying in the open at a friends camper. We had to rush to a local Walgreens and force feed him peroxide to induce vomiting. He was a great dog who allowed you to do anything you wanted to him willingly so he took it all down and vomitted what looked like a whole bar of rat poison out. We then called poison control and paid $80 to even speak with them. They advised us to take him to the vet that's all for $80! But I didn't want to watch my dog die so I did whatever was necessary! Vet bill for a charcoal stomach pump was $500. A few weeks later my dog Ziggy started having extreme diarrhea. Back to the vet for a $150 bill for antibiotics and a blood work up and X-rays. A few weeks later he was attacked by a dog. Back to the vet! Another $300.He was able to heal up and diarrhea seemed to ease up. A week later the diarrhea came back and that's when he started depleting. He lost 10lbs and just looked emaciated. It tore my heart to pieces! I tried every I could to keep him alive but then he was started on palliative care to keep him comfortable. I would carry him outside to use the bathroom and he would just fall to the floor because he had no strength and energy. My stepdad even gave him an IV that was prescribed by his doctor. He was on pain meds and antibiotics. He then started crying out for me when I left the room because he didn't want me to leave his side. I knew it was time for him to go to rainbow bridge. Of course back to the vet for the last time with my boy.
After going through all that for 3 months I neglected to pay for my car payments. One morning my son and I are leaving the house to go to school in the morning and we walk out to find that my car was gone. It was repossessed. I felt defeated. My father, who is disabled as well, was hit by a car while he was riding his bicycle and was awarded money from the accident. He was there for me and used what he had to help me get my car out of the impound lot. I feel like a loser! I know my father needs that money back and I will pay him back because it meant the world to me that he would even do that for me. Yes he's my father but he shouldn't have to be stressed because of my issues. Same goes to my mother and stepfather. I owe them so much money for all they've done for me to flourish in this world and all I've done is let them down.
I lost my job due to COVID and was on employment but I have now exhausted my spendings?! So now I have no more income. I have a new job that I am starting near the end of November but I have bills that are due. I'm at a loss and I don't know what to do. I have been doing Uber Eats as a side job to earn spending money but it's not enough to pay for bills.
If you find it in your heart to help my son and I, it would really mean the world to us!
