I’m writing this as someone who loves Anne deeply and has watched her try—again and again—to survive impossible circumstances with strength, grace, and integrity. She would never ask for help like this on her own, but she and her young child need it now.
 
Anne  is chronically ill and living with advanced endometriosis and other debilitating medical conditions. She has postponed medically necessary surgeries (not only because of finances), but also because she is afraid to leave her child alone with their father. That fear is grounded in years of controlling, abusive behavior that began almost immediately after she became pregnant.
 
I’ve known Anne long enough to say this clearly: she is not reckless, dramatic, or dependent. She has supported herself since she was 17. She has survived profound trauma before and rebuilt her life from nothing. She has volunteered her time advocating for other women escaping abuse. She is thoughtful, capable, and deeply devoted to her child.
 
When Anne finally became pregnant- a true miracle after doctors had told her she would likely never conceive—everything changed. Within hours of learning she was expecting, her partner demanded immediate changes in her career, schedule, and responsibilities. She was heartbroken.

On top of the stress of this sudden relationship dynamic, her pregnancy was extremely high-risk, and she was bedridden for most of it. Instead of care and support, she was mocked for being sick and told things like, “Women have babies all the time—why do you think you’re special?”
At his urging, Anne quit her job early in the pregnancy. It was the first time in her life she relied on someone financially—and that dependence was later used to control her.
 
At 36 weeks pregnant, after another episode of abandonment and emotional abuse, Anne was left to move heavy belongings on her own because her lease was ending. The physical strain and emotional stress caused her to go into preterm labor. She endured almost two days of labor. During most of it, her partner was on his phone, preoccupied with other interests and priorities. If she hadn’t repeatedly called him, he wouldn’t have shown up for the birth at all.
 
After their child was born, the isolation intensified. Anne was left to do nearly all childcare and household responsibilities while recovering from childbirth and managing chronic illness. She was screamed at while holding her infant. She was called degrading names. On multiple occasions, she was physically shoved—once even while pregnant and again after her child was born.
 
What makes this even more heartbreaking is that this was not Anne’s first experience with abuse. In her 20s, she survived years of sexual abuse and rape by a former fiancé and escaped only after he nearly killed her. She did the work to heal. She rebuilt her life. She chose this partner carefully, believing she was finally safe.
 
Today, Anne is trying to protect her child, regain her health, and leave an abusive situation while being threatened and intimidated because she does not control the finances or local power dynamics. She has reached out for help before and was often ignored or told to “figure it out.”
 
This fundraiser exists because she should not have to do this alone.
Funds raised will help Anne:
Create safety and stability for herself and her child
Cover basic living expenses as she regains independence
Address urgent medical needs and reschedule necessary surgeries
Begin rebuilding a life free from abuse and fear

If you know Anne, you know how hard it is for her to accept help. If you don’t, please know this: she is a devoted mother, a survivor, and someone who has always shown up for others. Right now, she needs others to show up for her.
 
Please donate, share, or simply help amplify her story. Your support could truly change the course of her and her child’s lives.
 
With gratitude,
A concerned friend