Help Tami Rebuild Her Life After Health Crises

Help Tami Find a Fresh Start: A Daughter’s Plea for Support

Hello, my name is Lindsey, and I am reaching out to the community on behalf of my mother, Tami, 62. Over the last year, Tami has been through a series of devastating medical crises that have turned her life upside down. I am writing this with the hope of raising the funds and awareness to help my mother through this incredibly difficult time.

A Year of Unimaginable Struggles

It all started in the summer of 2023 when my mom began experiencing severe brain fog, cognitive changes, balance issues, and uncontrollable tremors after contracting COVID. At first, we thought it was a lingering effect of the virus, but things only got worse. Months of worsening symptoms led to an accidental medication error that left her hospitalized and in a catatonic state. After she stabilized, she was discharged with no follow-up medication and a referral to specialists who weren’t able to see her for months.

During this time, my family and I fought with every fiber of our beings, going as far as contacting government and state agencies to get her the care she needed, but there were no answers and little support. She fell through the cracks of the healthcare system, and we lost count of the number of hospital visits, emergency calls, and urgent doctor appointments.

In total, my mom has sustained 11 broken ribs, a broken wrist, and numerous sprained ankles and abrasions—injuries that, combined with cognitive changes, made everyday life nearly impossible for her. While hospitalized, she developed an eye infection that was unfortunately overlooked, which resulted in irreversible damage to her eye. She is now blind in that eye, and due to the severity, she is not eligible for a corneal transplant. After a follow up appointment with a different provider, she was also diagnosed with Parkinson's. My mom, who has always been fiercely independent and active, now faces the heartbreaking reality of permanent vision loss, and impending potential of further neurological decline.

In the midst of all of this, Tami’s husband, Dave, was diagnosed with oral cancer nearing the end of 2023. He underwent significant surgery, radiation, and speech therapy that were all successful. However, recent scans have shown masses that the doctors have diagnosed as Esophageal Cancer. His ability to provide her support is limited, as another course of treatment awaits while they both try to manage this unprecedented time.

A Spiraling Loss of Stability

The ripple effects of these health crises have been devastating, not just physically, but financially and emotionally. My mom most recently worked for over a decade as a live-in caregiver for adults with disabilities, a job that she loved. But during her prolonged illness, she lost her job and, with it, her livelihood. She was denied disability benefits initially, but after months of struggle, she was approved for a minimal amount that only equals about 50% of the poverty line. This is a far cry from what she needs to survive, let alone rebuild her life.

As a single mother, my mom always worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. Her primary career was spent as a Recreational Therapist, Direct Care Provider, and most prominently a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant working with the disabled community for 25+ years at Monson State Developmental Center. She continued her service career in Vermont as a live-in caregiver, sometimes working weeks without a day off. She was never one to sit still, always finding ways to help others and give back to the people around her. Most often what she gave has the ultimate value with no price tag; her time, her genuine empathy, and her love. Whether it was babysitting, making and delivering homemade cooked/baked goods to people she loved, being an ear on the phone for hours, being a safe space for my friends as kids—she gave and gave, often putting herself last.

But now, my mother has lost everything. Her health, her job, her independence, and very soon, her home.

The Only Thing Left: A Fresh Start

This is where we are asking for your help.

We are launching this campaign to raise funds that will help my mom cover her immediate needs, including medical expenses, daily living costs, and most urgently, her housing. With her limited income, she is at risk of losing her home, and that is the last thing she needs right now.

In addition to stabilizing her living situation, the funds raised will help cover her piling medical debt, ongoing medical care, therapy, and treatments to manage her Parkinson's diagnosis. These treatments will give her a fighting chance to restore and maximize the independence she has left. But the most important thing we hope to provide is a sense of comfort and security as she navigates this challenging new chapter of her life.

A Call for Support

If my mother has ever shown you kindness, whether through a warm hug, a homemade treat, or a small thoughtful gesture—if she’s ever brightened your day with her infectious smile or generosity—please consider supporting her now. She has given so much to her family, her community, and everyone she met, and now she needs help in return.

No amount is too small, and every donation will help make a meaningful difference. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this campaign with others. The more people who know about Tami’s story, the better the chances are of us reaching our goal.

A Heartfelt Thank You

I know that my mom’s life will never be the same. But with your support, I believe we can offer her a chance at a fresh start—one that brings her some peace, comfort, and the stability she deserves after a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering a donation or sharing this campaign. It means more than words can express. Together, we can give Tami the support she needs to rebuild and reclaim what she’s lost.

With sincere gratitude,

Lindsey