Just being real here: the last thing in the world I want is to be doing this. It fills me with all sorts of uncomfortable feelings - the very least of which is embarrassment - to write this down and tell the world I need financial help.

Just a little under a year ago, my family’s lives were turned upside down. Mom, at the age of 76, had zero health issues up to that point. She was rather active and healthy. She belonged to a gym, loved her water aerobics class, and was described by her primary care Dr as “boring” due to her lack of health issues. Then, out of nowhere, she was diagnosed with a very aggressive type of cancer.

She has needed increasing levels of middle of the night and around the clock in-home care that are unfortunately not covered by Medicare.

My parents do not qualify for Medicaid. They also do not have long-term care benefit. And they do they have the financial resources to pay out of pocket for hiring private caregivers for her around the clock care.

My sister and I have stepped up to fill in that gap (dad has his own physical limitations such as hearing loss and an untreated abdominal hernia).

Caregiving is exceptionally hard work and takes its toll on the caregiver - especially when the need is 24 hours each and every day.

For me, that toll has been made even greater by my lack of financial resources.

I do not live in the same state as my parents and while the flights are often quite affordable (I’m good at budget shopping & planning), it still adds up.

I do not have work or employment that I can do remotely. As a self-employed individual, I can block out my own availability - which gives me great time flexibility - but it also means that I do not have access to FMLA or PTO while I’m not working. I’ve nearly exhausted my savings — and I myself am no spring chicken.

So, yes, I’m anything but happy or excited to be asking for help.

But then I look at my mom and I think about how she spent her lifetime giving to others. She always volunteered in one way or another in her community and in causes that mattered to her. Always. She is herself a giver and she set the bar very high.

And that makes it a teensy bit easier to make this huge step to ask for help; I’m asking for your help so that I can continue to help this amazing beautiful woman.

I would be immensely grateful for any bit of support to help cover my lost wages so that I can continue to pay my bills while continuing to give my mom - and dad - the help and support they need at this time.