For Theodore Parawee

This is our story. Friends and family described me as a wonderful human being, a dedicated and empathetic nurse, and much loved by patients and coworkers and one who always ready to help those in need.

Sadly, in my life I had far too many tragic events, that questioned my resolve. The one that impacted me the most was my father's death as a result of a drink-driver when I was only 17. Despite the fact that this misfortunate event haunts me to this day, I managed to pick up the pieces of my broken heart and moved forward. As a strong-willed person, I pushed toward becoming a nurse, but with the secret dream of becoming someday a doctor. I was also blessed with two beautiful boys, to whom I dedicated myself completely, despite the fact that I encountered hardship in the relationship with their father and his family. At some point I decided to go on by myself, taking on the difficult role of a single mother. A long and painful family court lawsuit decided joint parental responsibility of the boys - yet another misfortunate event in my life.

At some point though, during 2022, things were starting to look brighter, as I was really close to graduating from a well known Australian University to become a registered nurse. My two sons were my motivation for striving forward, my reason to live. They were the ones that motivated me every endeavor.

But then tragedy struck again. On the 22nd of December 2022, just two weeks after my older son's 6 years birthday party celebration, the balance I finally reached was shattered. The father of the two boys had them into his care, according to the judge's ruling. While he was driving on a country road with the children unrestrained, the tragic event occurred. The car my sons were travelling in rolled over. The 6-year-old boy passed away at the scene. My 4-year-old boy survived but is to this day psychologically affected by this traumatic event and by the fact that he watched his brother die.

I am at this point in a deep state of grieving. My world as I knew it collapsed. My hopes of seeing my older son grow into a fine man died that day. As if it wasn't enough, 2 and a half months after this event, there was a legal dispute with the father regarding the fate of the my son’s body. I was not allowed to tend to his body and never had a chance to hold him for one last time.

This situation has put myself in a vulnerable position. I have exhausted my resources and options. I needs financial help in order to find a way to move forward and to find some kind of closure after this dramatic event. My will to fight, work, love, and live is now at a low point.

Please help my 4 year-old son and myself get through this.