Cristina Spataro

I just recently lost my mother after caring for her through 11 years of one illness after another. From  multiple strokes, cancer, congestive heart failure, surgeries, my poor mother went through it all. I watched this incredibly independent, brilliant, funny, caring woman lose herself piece by piece. I put my life on hold to make sure my best friend, my mother got everything she needed, a decision I would make again for her. 

My mother had drawn up a Will about 9 years ago leaving me the home we shared my whole life. My mother felt that since all of my older siblings had homes of their own that it just made sense that I should have our home. She also believed that the mobility issues arising from the cerebral palsy that I have had since birth would only worsen with age and she wanted me to have security in my later years. 

Sadly what made sense to us doesn't make sense to my siblings. My sisters have initiated a legal challenge against the Will, against our mother's final wishes. I work as a therapist for traumatized children and I honestly do not have the financial resources to truly fight them on this which is why I am asking for your help now.

I know grief is a complicated thing and I know my sisters are dealing with their own emotions around the loss and perhaps they feel they are owed something. I just wish it didn't have to come to this. I still cry for my mother and only find solace in my dreams where I can hug and talk to her like I used to.

Thank you for listening to my story and I pray for anyone reading this that you always feel loved in your darkest hours.