Empower Simone and Millie with a Fresh Start

Hi, I'm Simone/Simi. I'm 27 and from Beckley, WV, and this is my daughter Millie. I'm in need of a lawyer & a car.

Legally, I can't get too far into details on why I need a lawyer, but let me tell you about myself and why I could use your help.

Recently, I became a single mother to my 5-year-old, leaving behind my home, my stuff, and my 6 cats. Currently, I'm staying with my daughter at my mom's house until I can get on my feet. I've been a stay-at-home mom since 2019 when I got pregnant. I've also been fighting for disability since then as well. I've had two spinal fusion back surgeries, one at 15 and the other at 21. I have something called Scheuermann's Kyphosis Disease. When they fused me at 15, they put metal rods in my spine from the discs T3-L1. But when I was 21, I had to have emergency surgery due to the discs above my rods, T1-T2, shooting out into my spinal cord, causing damage like nerve pain and severe pain. So they removed those bones, replaced them with cadaver bone, and fused me from C7 to the previous T3, wrapping it with a metal cord to help it from not snapping. Since then, it's been hard to work. I've found things such as art that I could do at my own pace helpful to not only bring money in but also easy on myself so I can take the breaks I need. I also deal with severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD, which I've been working on helping through therapy and medication. Without a car, it's impossible for me to get a second job during the weekdays when she's at school.

Before my second fusion, I was working as a CNA and loved my job. However, something like that isn't something I can do physically anymore. I have, however, started recently as a tattoo artist. But with my schedule with my daughter and when I have someone else watching her, it's nearly impossible to work other than the weekends.

Not only would a car be helpful, but it would also change a lot for us. I would be able to work more, make sure she's able to get to school and home safely, and attend any doctor appointments her and I both have. Having access to work more and make more money would ensure things such as food, clothes, electricity, and a place to live. I'm currently waiting to be accepted at some apartments, but I'd love to get to a point where I can get a place so that we can reunite with our cats again. Not having access to them in this process has been one of the most excruciating things. If you know anything about me, you know my cats are my babies.

Also, having a lawyer help me with certain issues will ensure a few of these things as well.

I know this is a lot to ask. I know everyone is going through something, and I'd never dare say my issues are any worse than anyone else's. I hate seeing anyone during a hard time, and I pray that if you're reading this and you're going through a hard time too, that you and I both get out of this.

I don't like asking for help, but I have no other choice right now. Even just sharing my story will help out a ton. I appreciate you all. God bless.

(I have indeed contacted Legal Aid; they have sadly been no help for me.)