Disabled 45 Year Old Single Mom Seeks Medical Expense Debt Relief

by Elisabeth Triana
(Wattsburg, PA, USA)

Hello. My name is Elisabeth. I am a 45-year-old single mother with two disabled children. I'm looking for medical expense caused debt relief.

Alanna is a severe diabetic who also suffers from bulimia and anxiety. She just turned 17.

Then there is RikkiLynn. She is 13. She has ADHD and she is disabled after being assaulted on a playground at the age of 10.

She was severely beaten. They broke her hip so very bad that she has had multiple surgeries and a ton of physical therapy.

I have applied for home health aides so I could go to work but got no help. I suffer from spinal arthritis and at times have a lot of pain, but that's not what this is about.

This is about RikkiLynn and the fact that for the last three years I have cared for a child that was through no fault of her own severely disabled more than she already was with her mental handicap.

I have had to care for my baby and watch her suffer tremendous pain and go through some very tough surgeries and physical therapy.

I have three children to support and care for. Nikki is my youngest and at times I feel like I let her down a lot, because I neglect her while caring for her 2 sisters that have chronic medical, physical and mental health needs.

I am unable to go to work because I have to care for the girls. It has been very hard on all of us.

I am being evicted and don't have anywhere to go. RikkiLynn just had a surgery and is still unable to walk.


I really don't know what to do or where to turn. I have tried every agency in Erie County for help but we just fall through the cracks.

We are not poor enough to qualify for free in-home health care but even if I was working I could not afford in-home aides.

I am so stuck right now it feels like I am drowning and no one is there to throw me a lifeline.

RikkiLynn was actually the one who showed me this website. She said she wrote her story on here and maybe I should also. So here goes.

I moved to Erie County, PA from Florida to get my children away from a drug addicted abusive ex-husband. I came here to start fresh.

It was all going well. I had a job and a decent place to live. Then on April 3, 2008 my world crumbled.

RikkiLynn was beaten and broken on a school playground. This made national news because of all the bullying issues. It was featured on Good Morning America.

Since that injury was so severe RikkiLynn has had many surgeries at Shriners and a ton of physical therapy.

I have cared for her all by myself. I am in total financial ruin because I haven't been able to work.

If there are any debt relief grants or programs that we are eligible for please let us know?

Any help would so greatly be appreciated. I am at the end of all hope. Maybe someone out there will care enough about RikkiLynn to help us out. Thank you.

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