Hello!

My name is Gen, and I'm a 60-year-old woman, living in Madison, WI. My husband is disabled and had diabetes, so we basically live on his SSDI benefit. At one time, he earned $100,000+, but after he got injured life as we knew it changed, forever more.

I am trying to raise the money to get from Madison to Flagstaff, AZ and see my only granddaughter, Sedona, who is 5 years old! I haven't met her, and the last time I saw my son was 8 years ago, as well.

Due to our financial situation, I went back to school at the age of 50, earned a degree in professional/technical writing, (with a 3.75GPA), and have been providing freelance writing services from my home-based office. I'm a technical writer and Certified Professional Resume Writer. However, the problem is I never can be assured when I'll get my next client or next dollar. It's a difficult and frustrating way to live, but I love to write! 

My husband gets about $1500 disability money, which is certainly not enough to support a bird. Furthermore, our 27-year-old son is living with us, and has some "problems," so he's not much help.

We pay all our fixed expenses out of that $1500, and the money I earn goes towards things we run out of, like milk, bread, gas and prescriptions. I have no insurance, so the 4 prescriptions I take are paid out of pocket. Even my husband's and son's copays have skyrocketed, and there are times I don't have the money.

I spend most of the time stressing and worrying about "tomorrow," becase it's extremely frustrating never knowing if you can eat or not.

However, out of all the things I need (and want) seeing my granddaughter and son are #1. My other two sons are 27 and 23, and no where ready to have kids, so this could very well be the only grandchild I'll know in my lifetime.

I also have a step-son, so together there are 4 boys. When I heard my son had a girl, I was thrilled to death. But as the days, weeks, months and now years pass, if I don't take some drastic action I may never see her.

Family was very important growing up. I had grandparents around, but now everyone is gone. All I have is a brother and my immediate family. 

I need the money for a plane ticket, somewhere to stay (unless I can stay with my son), food and incidentals. Furthermore, I need a few bucks to do something with my granddaughter, Sedona. Grandparents are famous for spoiling the kids, but I haven't been able to. I want to at least do something special, because I don't know when I'll see her again. 

You have no idea how many nights I'm up crying about this. There are pictures of her posted all over Facebook, and it makes me so sad to see her, but not know her. She seems like a happy child. I have talked to her on the phone, but I'm just a woman - she doesn't have any real understanding of who I am, yet.

My son, Brandon, has full custody of Sedona. He isn't preventing me from seeing her; it's just very complicated, and if I could understand it, I would explain, but I don't know why 5 years have passed, without seeing her, or 8 years since I saw Brandon.

If you can help me, I promise to use the money wisely. The work I do doesn't require me to be in any one place. As long as I have my laptop with me, I can still work. Therefore, if I find a good price on a ticket, and everything works out, I am basically able to leave at any time. (I'd prefer a little planning.) 

I also promise to take a lot of pictures and post them so you can all see us together for the first time, having a good time. I understand she's a real "girly girl," and playing dress up, makeup, etc. is just up my alley. We'll have a ball together!

Please help me get there. This is my only option. I don't like asking people for anything, but sometimes I just have to swallow my pride, and do things that aren't easy.

I'm sure many of you have problems of your own and think why should I help a perfect stranger. Because we are all human beings and need to help one another.

I once had money, and wish you could understand how much and often I gave. I've never been a selfish person. I don't care that I live in a small 2-bedroom apartment, drive a 2000 car that is falling apart, and don't have "things." They're not important. People are, especially family. In the end, it's all we've got.

Please help and God bless you!