Disabled Mother of three in desperate need of help

Hello, my name is Tara Turner. I am a daughter, niece, cousin, aunt & the single mother to 3 amazing girls; Jayden, age 12 & twins Jordyn & Jadah, age 5. My love for my girls & my Mom are the reasons I get up each morning.

Here is my story; In the 3rd trimester of my pregnancy with Jayden, I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. I struggled through the rest of that pregnancy with fear that my baby would be born with Cancer or not at all my body had begun to reject my pregnancy, I was more than relieved and thankfull, when she was born without illness. When Jayden was a few months old I had surgery to remove the Cancer. Before Jayden's 1st birthday, the Cancer had returned leading to a 2nd surgery followed by a mega dose of radiation, so strong that I was not allowed to hold or even see my baby for 7 days. Gratefully I can say that I'm a 12 year Cancer Survivor! In 2009 I became a school bus driver and continued until in 2013, when I was hit broadsided on Roosevelt Blvd., by a woman who was texting while driving. Thank God, there were no children on the bus at the time. The accident left me with 14 herniated disc's; 11 in my spine & 3 in my neck. After 8 back procedures, numerous injections & physical therapy, in addtion to the 14 herniated disc I was diagnosed with Degenerative Bone Disease, Spinal Arthritis, a ruptured Bakers Cyst which can only be repaired with surgery & deemed unfit to return to work. I was awarded with a small Workmans Comp. settlement that allowed me to provide for my 3 girls for about a year.

In 2016. I became an Uber driver essentially, I worked enough hours to pay for the car, but little else, due to the excruciating pain that I suffer with from the bus accident. Having a car is imperative, as I must get my girls to Vacation Bible School & to Summer Camp. My mother has disabling conditions that require her to go to numerous Dr.'s appointments, & this month, my children go back to school. Jayden, is now a 7th grader, along with all 7th & 8th graders is no longer able to take the school bus due to the Philadelphia School District Transportation budget cuts. Because the law requires that children must be in the first grade to for transportation, the twins are not eligible, so I must take them to school. This year I was reinjured in 2 accidents; 1st by a hit & run driver & the 2nd approximately 2 months ago, as I sat awaiting the light to change, a 20 yr. old young man made a U-turn into the passenger side of my car. The car, under lease with Uber, is currently in the shop. The young mans parents insurance provides me with a rental car however, Philadelphia doesn't allow picking up passengers in a rental, so when my car is finally repaired unless I can come up with the funds to bring the account current, it will be repossessed. You'll recall, I make payments by working, I cannot work without a vehicle, truly in a serious financial bind, the clouds seem to darken more each day.

Through the grace of God, I have survived so many things that certainly could & would have knocked others out on their feet. I will share that without that faith, the prayers of my Mother, & my extended family & my Ministers @ Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church, I would have thrown in the towel a long time ago. Despite my embarrassment, to share my story, I do so, for a few reasons, a friend of my Mother's told me a closed mouth don't get fed, & without financial help, I can't imagine how I will get through this latest ordeal. Additionally, it's my hope that someone reading my testimony will be encouraged that they are not alone in their struggle. If God will do it for me, surely He'll do it for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.