My name is Christina Norton, I am 51 years old, and I live in Oroville, California. Life has not been easy for my family, but the hardest part is watching my younger brother, who is 48, struggle with a severe heart condition. And we want to fulfill his last wish for him to see his own son.
My Brother’s Battle
My brother was born with a hole in his heart. Doctors have told us that one side of his heart is breaking down while the other is enlarged. He is also a type 1 diabetic, and the doctors have given him only a few years to live. Stress or even light exertion causes his heart to flutter painfully and leaves him gasping for air.
In the middle of all this, his car was stolen while he was in the hospital after a heart attack. A kind man later helped him get a car from an auction, but it breaks down constantly. Sometimes he has been stranded for days, even sleeping in it. Reliable transportation is critical for him to reach his medical appointments and stay safe, yet right now we don’t have it.
His Last Wish
What weighs on me the most is his wish to see his 23-year-old son in Oregon. They have spent so little time together, and my brother dreams of one more visit while he still can. It breaks my heart that money is the only thing standing in the way of such an important reunion.
My Own Struggles
I live on disability myself, battling autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis. I am raising a 16-year-old son who lives an hour and a half away, and I long to be able to see him play tuba in school. With little income, food stamps that don’t last through the month, and application fees we cannot afford, life feels like a constant uphill battle. Still, I cannot imagine letting my brother face this alone.
Why We’re Asking for Help
We are raising $7,500 to cover:
• A reliable car so my brother can safely reach his appointments and avoid being stranded.
• Travel expenses for him to see his son in Oregon, fulfilling his most important wish.
• Basic living costs (food, rent, application fees for housing) for both of us while we are unable to work.
• Medical support related to his heart condition and diabetes.
How You Can Help
I know there are many families in need, and asking for help is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But every donation, big or small, will directly ease my brother’s suffering and give us the chance to fulfill his last wish.
If you cannot give, please consider sharing our story or leaving a kind word of encouragement. Knowing we are not alone in this fight means more than I can ever express.
From my heart, thank you for standing with us. With your help, I can give my brother the peace of visiting his son and the dignity of living his last years with a little less hardship.
—Christina Norton
