November 14 started off as one of the most stressful days I’ve had in a long time. My 15-month-old son was sick, had been up all night, and I was running on no sleep. I managed to get him squeezed into an early morning doctor’s appointment, and after we left, I planned to drop him off at home and then head to the store for his medicine and Pedialyte.

When we got home, my husband came out to get our son, and I went to leave so I could grab the things he needed. That’s when everything changed. As I was driving out, another driver didn’t see me and backed straight into my car. It was sudden, scary, and the last thing our already overwhelmed family needed.

On top of the damage to my car, I now have to replace my son’s car seat due to the accident. Safety guidelines require that a child’s car seat be replaced after any collision, no matter how minor, and that’s another unexpected cost we just can’t afford right now.

Here’s where the real struggle begins:

Even though I was not at fault, my insurance is requiring me to pay the deductible upfront while they fight it out with the other driver’s insurance. I simply don’t have that kind of money. We live paycheck to paycheck, and we’re already behind on bills. Losing access to my only vehicle would affect every part of our lives — doctor’s appointments, work, getting groceries, and caring for our children.

I’ve never been one to ask for help like this, but right now, I don’t have a choice. Waiting until income tax season to fix the car isn’t an option. We need transportation now, and the stress of everything piling up has become too much to carry alone.

If you’re able to help — even a small amount — it would mean the world to us. Your kindness would help us get my car repaired, stay afloat, and take care of our kids during an already difficult time.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting a struggling mother trying her best. ❤️

How Funds Will Be Used

• Insurance deductible for car repairs

• Replacement of my son’s car seat

• Any remaining amount will help cover transportation costs while the car is in the shop