Sickle Cell Disabled Tanya Seeks Government Business Grant For Group Home

by Tanya Hester
(Ocala, Florida, USA)

Lord, please help my family!

My name is Tanya Hester. I am a 28-year-old mother of three. I'm looking for a government business grant to open a group home.

I was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at the age of seven. I had a rough childhood as well as adulthood.

On top of all the pain and suffering caused from my sickle cell crisis, I was in and out of foster homes.

My mother and father had rough times in their life, but by the grace of God it's gotten better.

They had drug addictions that caused them to lose what should have been the four most important things in their life... their children.

As a result, we were in and out of foster homes. It was the worst thing ever… as a child.

No one other than my parents knew how much pain I went through, how bad I hurt and what I needed. There were some good and some bad foster parents.

I was forced to drop out of school due to absence resulting from frequent hospitalization.

I knew at the age of 10 that I wanted to help others, that I wanted to be a doctor. Unfortunately that didn't work out.

I had the grades and the brains, but with my sickle cell and my living arrangements there was no way I could go to college... no way I could ever afford it.

I married my high school sweetheart... the father of all three children... and the love of my life on May 9, 2010.

He has had a rough childhood as well. Because of a car accident he's not able to work much.

I receive $755 per month disability. I'm not complaining because God sees to it that we make it work.

I was blessed to be on housing which pays the majority of my rent. I have been living off of disability, and the blessings of the Lord.

I want to be able to open a group home for children like myself. I want to be able to give kids the love, care and compassion that they aren't receiving either at home or at a facility.

I personally know how it feels to be alone, to hurt, and I want to give back. I would never be able to afford to open anything with my disability.

I have held several jobs... but was always either terminated or forced to resign due to my illness.

I want something for once that I can call my own. I want to be somebody that my children can be proud of.

There are days that I can't get out of the bed. My legs are locked and my arms stiff. I have chest and back pain. Still I've managed to raise three smart children.

Please if just given the opportunity, I can be somebody… somebody for that somebody that has nobody… someone that my kids can be proud of... somebody that can help those in need.

Please anything? Any advice?