Stephanie Packer & Kids

Stephanie Packer is a southern California mom of four who has survived longer than her doctors predicted.  In 2012, after suffering a series of debilitating lung infections, she was diagnosed with scleroderma—a rare disease causing hardening of the skin and other organs---affecting most severely her lungs. Basically she is turning into stone from the inside out. In addition to the Scleroderma Stephanie also suffers from gastroparesis (total paralysis of the GI tract), Interstitial cystitis (A chronic, painful bladder condition), mast cell disease (presents as if she has an allergic reaction anytime she is externally exposed to water), and Raynaud's disease which has caused her to now need to amputate several fingers. Stephanie also has a disease called Trigeminal Neuralgia (also known as the Suicide disease as most patients kill themselves within the first two years of having this disease). It is the most painful condition known to medical practice. Along with Mastocytosis, Hashimoto's, and a few others, her body fights itself causing her condition to rapidly worsen.


While fighting her disease, Stephanie and her children travel when possible to speak out against Physician Assisted Suicide. Stephanie uses every last breath each day doing what she can to fight our Culture of Death and to leave a legacy of love and hope for her children. The children support this fight, and have taken on various roles to speak out and share the reality of living with a terminal illness. Unfortunately, after speaking to the Senate in Carson City, Stephanie and one of her daughters came home to find that her home life would be forever changed. For the last year, Stephanie has been a single mom to her four children and is not receiving any kind of support from her husband.


With the relationship with her husband abruptly coming to an end, Stephanie found herself in a position to be the sole provider for her children. Though the courts have ordered support, the children have been living without some basic needs. They had their Gas, cable,internet, and their cell phones shut off.  Over the last year, they stayed with family, friends, a shelter, and had to leave multiple homes. Life is especially difficult for this family when Stephanie's illness takes her to the hospital. It is scary and stressful to witness. During those times it seems that their strength increases so they can support each other, and some of the most amazing people step up to help out.The love this family has received is quite overwhelming. They are extremely thankful for everything and perceives their situation as an honor to experience these miraculous acts of love. For now, Stephanie and the children are living off of the social security checks she receives. The amount of her checks do not even cover the rent let alone all of the other household bills. We are hoping that the courts will find a way to enforce the support payments. Until then, outside funds will be needed to maintain basic living condition for the family.