Hi, Mishael this is my story. My name is Heather, I’m 37 years old with 2 kids ages 19 and 12. I lost my husband 8 years ago due to graft vs host disease following a bone marrow transplant. He was 28 at the time and I was 29. A few months before he died, we found out that I have rheumatoid arthritis (which is an autoimmune disease and at the moment there is no cure for) and I was pretty sick bc of stress and my body was flaring up horribly. I got worse after Anthony died. I had found out that the RA is affecting my kidneys as well as my liver. Thankfully modern medicine has helped me to be able to do most normal things. I am even back in college after recovering from tuberculosis for a year.

I don’t have a car right now. The minivan would help bc even though I get Medicaid for myself and my kids, their transportation isn’t always reliable. It would be a HUGE relief to know for sure that I’d be able to get to my appointments on time or that I can get to the hospital if I need to without having to call 911 or take Marta. Plus grocery shopping would be SOO much easier. I have joint damage in my hands and elbows so I can’t carry a lot of things. It’s a hassle bc one of my kids always has to come to the store with me. I feel like this will help me to be more independent.

I had to have RTKR (right total knee replacement) done 2 years ago bc the RA had eaten through my joint. That whole recovery process was the most difficult and time-consuming I’ve ever physically been through. I’m proud to say even though we’ve been through so much, we still keep going… The hardest loss in my life was losing Anthony. It took me years before I really could pick up the pieces and move forward. In him, I lost not only my husband and my children’s father, but my best friend, my cheerleader, my confidant, my Mr. Fix it. He was a truly unique individual. There have been many challenges this life has presented, but I’m determined to keep moving even if it’s only a little bit at a time. I’m very grateful for all we do have because I know there are people out there with way less. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Widowed in 2004, when her sons were the following ages: Tyler 10, Chris 6, Sean 3, Natalie Simmons is a military veteran of our armed forces and so was her late husband. As a widowed mom, she has raised three boys, two are men and she still has one in high school. She has been an active member of Widow Strong for seven years. She is very articulate and helps mentor other widows. While suffering from Lupus, Natalie studied and received her bachelor of science degree in health administration. She is kind, humorous, inspirational, and never complains. She is the glue that keeps her family together. One of her sons has recently become a young father. He, his girlfriend, and their new baby are currently living at an extended stay hotel. Natalie currently lives with her brother. She is driving her son to and from work, sometimes she gets home at midnight. Natalie is asking for the minivan for her son and his new family, which will allow him to work independently and support his family and give Natalie the good night’s rest she needs.

Good morning, my name is Nicole. I’m not usually the type to reach out and ask for help and it’s probably a little of  why I’m in the situation I’m in.. I have 3 kids they are absolutely beautiful, they are my everything, unfortunately, I’m also a recovering addict so as of now they don’t live with me. I graduated Mother’s Making A Change in August and on February 22 I will have a year clean. I have a full-time job and am also looking for my own place, right now I’m staying with friends of my ex’s. I would have a better possibility of being able to get my own with a vehicle. My boys both have trauma and see the doctor twice a month, and they need therapy, which their Dad won’t put them in so it falls on me when I’m able to do so. Anyway, I thought I was going to buy a car from a friend of mine, he said he needed to do some finishing repairs on it and I could make payments to him. We had an agreement we would go half on the parts. Well after $240 and a wasted couple of months I’m carless and out of money. I know this is a long shot. And you wouldn’t have anyone more grateful to receive such a gift I appreciate you listening to just a very tiny bit of my testimony.

My background: I was with my husband for 45 years. High school sweethearts, next-door neighbors, married 40 years. I was his caregiver for 5 years. After he died, I moved to Georgia to be with my daughter and 3 grandkids. I bought a double-wide trailer to get her out of an abusive situation. In 2018, we had a tornado come through and dropped trees on the last thing that belonged to my husband. It totaled the van. Since then, I’ve not had a vehicle. I rented a U-Haul moved us to Kansas City, Mo, where my son lives. My daughter and I and 2 granddaughters have been staying in a motel since July 3rd because it is taking all we get to keep a roof over our heads much less get a vehicle. My daughter works 2 jobs trying to build money up to get them a place. I need a place of my own I found one and started a fundraiser to hopefully get money up to get in the place. I make $750 after part b insurance, which doesn’t build the money up for an apartment my daughter has to walk to work walk girls back and forth to school.

Then she and her oldest granddaughter walk for groceries. The vehicle would help so much if I had it. She could use it. I could use it were both trying for an apartment in the same place. I just spent 6 days in the hospital with pneumonia and kidney and liver failure. I’ve had to spend money out on medicine. I still need to figure out how to get scripts I need it’s supposed to rain and snow here tomorrow and I’ll have to get an Uber to and from doctor’s office tomorrow which thankfully it isn’t that far. But, its money I don’t have. As for getting it, I’ll figure it out somehow. I’m just glad your gonna consider me.

* Voting ends at midnight, January 31, 2020. Minivan giveaway of a 2003 Ford Windstar is at the sole discretion of Widow Strong and its board of directors. All federal, state, local and municipal laws apply.  No purchase necessary. Voting for the winner concludes January 31, 2020 at midnight. Participation in this contest inplies photo/video/voice release of said candidates includes participation involving but not limited to promotional activities of Widow Strong on all forms of print, video, internet, televised and all othere forms of communication for advertisement and edicational purposes in perpituity.

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