a Single Mom and Her Nonverbal, Special Needs Daughter, scared and uncertain on what to do.

My name is Stephanie and I'm a single mother trying my best to care for my adorable, sweet , 8-year-old daughter Taylar mazzy. My daughter is nonverbal, she is special needs, and requires machine feeding which is considered life support. It's just been me and her for years with no family support. She is the sweetest little girl, and anyone who is a parent I am sure will understand , how heartbreaking it is , or would be , to know how bad it feels to be in a situation where you are not able to give your child everything they need, let alone things they might want.

We've been through incredibly difficult times recently. Last year, we ended up homeless and had to sleep outside in freezing temperatures some nights because the homeless shelter would not accept my daughter's medical equipment, and denied us shelter, meals, and a place to be safe. During this terrible period, my payee, which was not court appointed, I thought it would help get us on track, and help our lives. It has been my biggest regret, he controls my finances, refused to give me funds for food or shelter, he covered one week in 3 and a half months, out of our money. I have recently found that he is also charging us fees that are not accurate, claiming we have to each pay him 30 each for his fees, so that is 60,00, and another 30 each for bank fees, which is another 60.00, I verified with the bank , and they said they charge at the most 5.95 a month. So if you minus that from 60.00 bank fees , 54.00 times 9 months,and there are 3 and a half months minus one week at motel ,he did not provide for us, where is all that money?

I finally was able to get us into an apartment, but the payee's mishandling of my funds has continued. He signed off on paying way too much rent to my landlord without verifying the amount. Now I'm being forced into a lawsuit against my landlord to get the overcharges returned to me. My daughter and I were in a wreck as well, and I requested car repair money, because my daughter has numerous appointments, therapy, visits to children's mercy hospital , and also I am trying to go to school to be a paralegal, but he said no, it's not his responsibility to give us our money for transportation, and my phone is a necessity, to be able to communicate with her teacher and doctors, again he has denied us. When these things are not taken care of I get reported for medical neglect, and it breaks my heart, that no one ever listens to the nightmare of how we are denied our only source of income. He in a sense is abusing and neglecting us, not only to barely exist, but he is making it impossible to go to school so I can provide a better life for myself and daughter.

This whole situation has been a nightmare, but through it all, caring for my sweet daughter is my top priority. However, the payee's actions have made it extremely difficult to keep up with her medical supplies and my basic living expenses. 

I'm hesitant to ask for help, but I've reached my limit on what I can provide for my daughter on my own. Any donation would mean the world to us and help cover:

- Medical supplies and equipment for my daughter

- Utilities to keep her powered equipment running 

- Groceries and household basics

- Legal fees for the lawsuit against my landlord

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Even a small amount would make a big difference. I'm so grateful for any support during this difficult time.