There are several factors that make this life extremely difficult, and we wanted to paint a picture of some of these challenges with you all so that you can get an idea of the extent of care that Lani requires. At this time, this family does not have a wheelchair-accessible van to take Lani to doctors, school, activities, etc. Any time Lani has had surgery, which she has had plenty, she has had to take medical transport. In order for Lani to ride in Carmen’s current van, Carmen has to lift Lani from her wheelchair into the van, then back out of the van into her wheelchair. Carmen has to lift 14-year-old Lani by herself as Lani cannot support her own body weight.

Carmen is a single mother and has been since day one with her girls. This year of 2020 has been especially overwhelming with stress for so many single parents and even more so for single parents with children who have disabilities. The costs of raising children alone is daunting, and life is incredibly hard.

To add to this challenge – Carmen has had to stop working due to the pandemic. In short, this year has been an excruciating struggle, amplifying the challenges and stresses Carmen has had to go through for many years in order to support herself and the girls.

But you can help! We all can, together.

This holiday, we have the opportunity to help make the lives of Carmen, Elana, and Alexis a little easier and brighter with the provision of a wheelchair-accessible van. Please consider designating your holiday giving this year for this family. Your gifts will go a long way! In a year that has been so tough for all of us, maybe we can crush this goal together and make the end of the year a little brighter and more hopeful.

Gifts of $10, $25, $50, $100+…all accepted and welcomed!

Let’s be Carmen, Elana, and Alexis’ Christmas angels and make this happen!
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Family and friends of Elana Smith are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Illness.

Elana has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!