In April, Stephanie and Paul's lives changed in an instant.
While in the middle of a cross-country move, Stephanie experienced a life-threatening pregnancy complication that required an emergency cesarean section. Their beautiful fraternal twin daughters, Audrey and Alice, were born at just 26 weeks gestation, beginning a long and uncertain journey in the NICU.
What should have been an exciting new chapter for their family quickly became a fight for survival.
For the past three months, they have been living a life no family should ever have to endure. Their family has been separated across the country. Their 15- and 16-year-old children have been living with family more than 2,500 miles away and preparing to start school in a new state, while Stephanie, Paul, and their three-year-old remain near the hospital so they can be with Audrey and Alice every day. Every member of their family has made tremendous sacrifices so Stephanie and Paul can remain by their daughters' side during this critical time.
For the first two months, they were grateful to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Unfortunately, after multiple frightening situations involving police activity and unsafe behavior from other residents, they had to leave for the safety of their family. They are now living in an extended-stay hotel because there were no other safe housing options available.
Over the last three months, Stephanie and Paul have worked tirelessly with hospital social workers and have pursued every available resource for assistance. Despite their efforts, they have been unable to secure housing through Hope House or any similar program. They have stretched every dollar, relied on every available resource, and done everything possible to sustain life in two different states while keeping their family going. Sadly, they have reached the point where they simply cannot continue to shoulder this burden alone.
The financial strain has become overwhelming.
While staying close to the hospital, they are still responsible for paying for their home in Idaho, more than 2,500 miles away, while also paying over $1,600 every week for their extended-stay hotel. Hospital bills have already begun arriving, and even after financial assistance, they are facing more than $10,000 in medical expenses, with additional bills still to come.
Doctors expect Audrey and Alice will remain in the NICU for approximately another eight weeks. Unfortunately, transferring them closer to home is not possible because insurance has not approved a medical flight due to prior authorization complications.
Although they do have income coming in, no family can reasonably absorb the cost of maintaining a home in one state while paying for temporary housing in another, along with mounting medical bills, meals, fuel, travel expenses, and everyday living costs for months at a time.
When Audrey and Alice are finally strong enough to come home, another significant expense still lies ahead. Because they cannot safely travel by car, Stephanie and the twins will need to fly home, while Paul and their three-year-old will make the long drive across the country. Reuniting their family will require airfare, fuel, lodging, meals, and other travel expenses, creating yet another financial hurdle after months of unexpected hardship.
Today, we are humbly asking for your help.
Your donation will help ease the financial burden so Stephanie and Paul can focus on what matters most—being present for Audrey and Alice as they continue to grow stronger each day.
Funds raised will help cover:
Extended-stay housing near the hospital
Mortgage and household expenses in Idaho
Medical bills
Food, fuel, and other essential daily expenses
Travel expenses to bring Stephanie, Audrey, Alice, Paul, and their three-year-old home when the twins are discharged
Helping keep this family together throughout Audrey and Alice's extended NICU journey
If you're unable to donate, we completely understand. Sharing this fundraiser and keeping Stephanie, Paul, Audrey, Alice, their 15- and 16-year-old children, and their three-year-old in your thoughts and prayers is another incredible way to help.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. Every prayer, every share, and every donation brings hope to a family that has spent the last three months doing everything possible to stay together under unimaginable circumstances. Your generosity allows Stephanie and Paul to remain where they are needed most—by Audrey and Alice's side—and brings them one step closer to the day when all seven members of their family are finally reunited under one roof.
