My name is Samantha, but most people call me Sam. I am a single mother of four beautiful children, all of whom are in my custody. I am writing to provide context for my current situation and to plead for any financial assistance. From a very young age, my life has been filled with hardships. I endured sexual abuse at the hands of a neighbour, a traumatic experience that left deep scars. This early trauma thrust me into a life of instability and struggle, forcing me to navigate youth housing and eventually secure my own private rental as a teen. Despite these challenges, I fought to create a stable environment for myself and now for my children. I am currently seeing a clinical psychologist who can attest to the ongoing battles I face daily. My life has been a continuous fight for survival and stability. Every necessity and comfort my family has, I have had to struggle for. Nothing has come easily or freely.Raising my four children alone has been both a blessing and a challenge. My children are my motivation and my strength, but providing for them has become increasingly difficult. I recently lost my job due to mental health issues, exacerbated by the trauma of my past. This loss of income has made it nearly impossible to keep up with mortgage repayments, and car troubles have left us without reliable transportation, affecting my ability to get my children to school and other essential activities.In desperation, I set up a fundraising page to seek financial assistance, though I feel a profound sense of shame in doing so. The domestic violence I endured in 2017 and 2018 at the hands of my children's father brought me to the brink of death. On one horrific occasion, he tried to suffocate me with a pillow, and if it hadn't been for my eight-year-old daughter's quick actions to get help, I might not be here today. Despite the severity of the abuse, I often felt unheard and disbelieved, particularly in a society where my cries for help were dismissed.I have engaged in intensive therapy to manage my post-traumatic stress disorder, stemming from both childhood and domestic abuse. Some days are more challenging than others, making it difficult to function and care for my family. The mental toll of my experiences sometimes leaves me paralyzed, unable to carry out daily tasks.My children are my lifeline. They are the reason I continue to fight, despite the overwhelming odds. Without them, I might have succumbed to the despair that often engulfs me.
I ask for your understanding and compassion as you consider my circumstances. My life has been a series of battles, and while I am determined to provide a better future for my children, I am in dire need of support and assistance. I hope one can see the efforts I have made to overcome my past and the dedication I have to my children's well-being. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for your consideration.
Sam.