Aloha friends and family, Thank you for taking the time to read this testimony and to learn why I am asking for all of your help at this time. I know how precious all of your individual lives are and value your time to read this and hopefully help out. This act of finally asking for help(after much reservation) is humbling but more importantly crucial for our survival and future stability at this time. I'm only sharing this fundraiser privately so most of you know a little or a lot about our journey these last four years. As to save us all a bit of time I will not get too far into the details(that's for later when I write my book!) however I do want to share the most important updates and present challenges that my little family is facing. A little update... Skye has been doing well in her growth and development after being born with a cleft lip and cleft palate in September 2019. Since her two major surgeries(2024) and her last minor repair surgery(2024-22), Skye has been healing well, growing and thriving in her physical, mental and emotional three-year-old (going on four already 9/19!) body and mind. Skye is a loving, joyful, funny, clever, intelligent and overall eager toddler. She loves to play and her imagination is blossoming right now. She is in the creative play phase at this time and it is so fun to support her in these formative years. Skye has been making new friends and Skye loves friends! When we walk past any little kid out and about in the community she will engage with them and say "That's my friend". Even if that child didn't even acknowledge her. LOL. She's a social butterfly. Given her journey, I could not be more impressed and happy with her for her confidence and willingness to embrace others with such love and acceptance. I recently took Skye to her follow-up doctor's appointment with our amazing craniofacial cleft team at Kapiolani Hospital here in Oahu, HI. This is where I gave birth to Skye and where she has undergone her three surgeries as well as received all of her medical care throughout these last four years. At this last visit, I was informed that Skye will need to undergo two surgeries (as soon as possible) to avoid possible damage or interference of her hearing(ear tube implants required) as well as repair her palate(roof of her mouth) once again so that Skye does not continue to suffer the discomfort and pain of having fluids/foods that she consumes flow her nose. We are expecting the surgery to take place in September. I will have more info soon. Thankfully, by the grace of God, Skye has done very well in her last three surgeries and her recovery has also been very successful, including keeping her weight on, aside from the tiny hole that does not seem to want to completely close in her palate. That all being said, although I am confident in Skye's surgeons, as well as her medical team, and Skye's body to successfully heal properly, there is both the fear of my little angel girl going through the surgery and post-surgery recovery. There is also the painstaking, unavoidable reality of the loss of income I will endure and the inevitable financial strain that will take place since I am her sole caretaker. As a single, full-time mother of Skye, I will be with her 24/7 during surgery and the healing process/recovery thereafter. I will need to take off work and I've only just been able to return to work this week knowing Skye starts full-time preschool next week. Back to the positive updates... Our big girl starts school next week! Yes, to get back to focusing on the positive ahead, Skye starts preschool on July 31st! This is such a bitter-sweet time. On one hand, I have had such an incredible, although very challenging, seven months with Skye as her sole caretaker, mother, parent, mentor, influencer, protector, provider and so much more. I have shared our full story with so few of you and those that may know bits and pieces there is so much more depth to our journey this last four years(nearly 5 years including pregnancy). But that is for another time and place! The truth... A long story short the Hawaii Family Court ordered me to be Skye's full-time custodial parent in December of 2024. Meaning that her father was not legally allowed to physically or legally have her until he completed A, B & C and is no longer a danger or a threat to her or me after physically, mentally and psychologically abusing us most recently in September of 2024. In April of this year, the State Of Hawaii finally granted me sole custody of Skye and only weekly supervised visits with her father. This outcome was based on my unwavering, tireless, often exhausting hard work representing myself as my lawyer for the last two years for the greater good and safety of my daughter. In this hearing, the judge also required Skye's father to pay monthly child support(this would cover her monthly school tuition) but unfortunately, I have not seen a penny since December of 2024. At first, the court ordered child support money(or lack there of from Skye's father) was the least of my concerns and not on my agenda as I could support us by myself and with my families help in the beginning. I only cared about Skye's(and my) safety and overall quality of life. The harsh reality is that I have a high overhead every month to provide a stable and safe home, transportation, food, clothing, child care, etc. These last seven months as a full-time single momma I have only been able to work bare minimum hours and mostly from home if I could find the opportunity to do so. Paying for child care just simply did not make sense with he income I would have been able to bring in working for someone else. And being away from Skye for 14 hours a day to work my own catering business did not feel right either. I did not want someone else raising Skye during such a vulnerable, transitional time of her life. Wait...I promised this would be the long story short... So family here is what and why I am asking for your help: Two months(August & September) of full coverage for our housing, utilities, car payment, gas, food and Skye's monthly school tuition. This amount of donations would ensure that I can keep our apartment, and our car and provide the basics for Skye and me(and my contribution to my son). As well as one of the most important contributions would go towards making sure Skye can attend her amazing preschool come July 31st and continue to receive an education outside of our home with her peers. Now that I can return to consistent, full-time work(should Skye be able to attend full-time preschool next week) I can play the game of major catch-up and moving forward be able to provide all that we need to thrive and succeed in our goals and needs. And hopefully, one day, pay it forward! I realize this is very last minute and also asking a lot. It took a lot of praying on my part and consulting elders, whom I respect and trust, to work up enough courage and humility to share a bit more of our situation and ask for help. I do this for Skye, for Kaiwi and for the ability to let the traumatizing and challenging past be in the past and finally move on with a bit of help from those I love and who love and support Skye and/or Kaiwi. There are several ways to donate to our fundraiser: 1. Through this LFEBridge site via CC or Debit. 2. Through Venmo: This is the fastest payment method as I will have it immediately and can deposit it into my account to cover Skye's school tuition on August 1st which is our most immediate need. My Venmo account name is: @Leighanna-Briggs-1 * The last four digits of my phone # are: 0178(Venmo may ask you for those numbers to confirm its me). 3. If you live on the Island of Oahu, you can write me a check or hand me cash. I will provide you with a receipt for your donation( I think you can get a tax write-off for your donation). I have attached some recent photos of Skye, Kaiwi and myself. I thank you in advance for your contributions, your support(even if you cant contribute $), your love and your prayers. With a grateful and humble heart, Lei, Skye and Kaiwi
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