Where do I start? I began this campaign a year ago. I had to watch the mother of my three beautiful children ache and cry out in pain most nights in the beginning. I still see tears well up in her eyes because she can’t pick up our two youngest children.
I am a husband with a mission to help my wife in every way possible. I am relentlessly praying for a miracle in some fashion and I have turned to FundTheFirst in hopes that someone may see this and might be willing or able to help in some regard.
My wife and I both know that God ultimately has a plan set out for our lives that we ultimately don’t understand and that this issue is a trial and is for a season, but the pain and discomfort she is in is unbearable at times and is unbearable for a husband to witness.
I can’t help her condition physically or aid in her body’s recovery. Since what she has is in her neuromuscular and central nervous system. Our insurance does not cover all the care/treatment she needs and the medical bills continue to build (receiving phone calls for inability to pay). I work upwards of 56 hours per week between a regular job and a side job doing Uber and Lyft unit 4am some nights just trying to make our ends meet.
I’ve even went so far as to try and contact The Dave Ramsey show in hopes of receiving financial advice and getting guidance from him but, I have yet to speak to anyone personally.
My wife has been diagnosed with a seemingly rare malformation of her upper cervical spine at the base of her skull that pinches and irritates nerves, she also has Tarlov cyst in her upper, mid and lower spine. She is also dealing with the devastating blow of being poisoned with an MRI contrasting agent known as Gadolinium (the same as Chuck Norris’s wife).
She has even reached out to Gena Norris for advice and guidance about her life moving forward with this poisoning issue. She has even attempted to try and turn her situation into somewhat of a vlog ministry for others out there by way of a YouTube channel (Hem of His Garment).
I admire her strength and her will but, as a husband all I can utterly do is sit back, pray and attempt to financially support a family of 5. Again, we are here just to try and see if people can help in any way....May God bless anyone who reads all the way through this description and if you aren’t able to donate at all...please just simply place my wife (Erin Shackelford) on your prayer list and let us know. Thank You and May God Bless You!!
Updates
There are moments like this that she never tells me what she’s doing. But I am just trying to be the best husband that I possibly can be as well as a father to our three kids who are currently dealing with an ill mother. It’s all I can do day in and day out to simply just be there for her.
I pray that while you are out doing Christmas shopping with your family and your kiddos you consider those who might be less fortunate and might not be able to get out of their house or even out of their bed.
I also pray that you enjoy every moment with your family that you possibly can during the holidays. And if you cannot donate at this time I/we ask you kindly share this post and share this campaign from one service member one officer and one husband to another.
Donations & Comments
Only administrators, organizers, and beneficiaries can reply to comments.
donated $100
donated $200
Reply from Cade Shackelford2 years agoAllison, I’m sure this was you! I thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts!! I know this campaign has been up for quite some time and we are of course thousand short of our goal. But we have taken in stride on by month each challenge that is to be overcome. I thank you so much for your donation with the holidays coming up because it does help and it means a lot coming from someone so close in the community. All I ask is that you maybe share our campaign. Thank you for your prayers as well and God bless you!!
donated $100
God bless your wife and beautiful family! We will put you all on our church prayer list and look forward to prayers being answered. Remember that God is in control and we just need to keep the faith! Love to you all!
Reply from Cade Shackelford3 years agoThank you so so much Robert and Barbra!! Your love and donation is a testament to your heart and faith. We truly are praying for a miracle, but we know that out of this trial something amazing is going to happen!! God Bless you and THANK YOU!! Also, if you will please share on whatever social media source you may have and just share your love. Again, God Bless you and thank you!!
Looking forward to hearing of a rapid & blessed recovery - Merry Christmas y'all - Phil & Brenda
Reply from Cade Shackelford3 years agoWe love you guys so much and miss the Lexington area a little too, but this year isn’t what we ever expected! It’s been one gut punch after another. Your donation Phil is a testament to your’s and Brenda’s heart! Again, we love you guys and miss you! Thank you so so so much and God bless you all!
Wishing your wife and your family some relief. You're very brave to reach out and ask for support. It's a difficult thing to do, and you've done it with dignity.
donated $250
Sending prayers
Reply from Cade Shackelford3 years agoTim, I want to thank you so much for your love and support of my wife and our family! Your expression of love and support for us (an absolute stranger) is a testament of your heart! We pray that you are blessed much in the same way that you have blessed us sir. Again, “Troy” your love is prayed over and much needed at the moment. If you can sir please share via whatever network or social media you are possibly allowed to help aid in getting her message out there. Again, thank you so so much and may God Bless you during this Christmas season! Love you!!
Your cause was forwarded to me by Military / LE friends of mine. Good luck, my thoughts are with you and your family. Brian Mahar
Reply from Cade Shackelford3 years agoBrian, I can NOT thank you enough for what you have done and for your love and support. What you have done for my wife is a testament of what your heart truly holds. I pray that your life is a display of this. Also, we pray that you are blessed much the same way as you have blessed us. Sir, if you kindly can please share our message via whatever network/social media possible. Again thank you for your love and support and for being the man that you are! May God bless you in this season!
Cade, so glad I came across this! I know it’s not much but during the holiday anything helps! Will be praying for your wife! -Patriot Barber Shop 🇺🇸