My name is Chantel Hamilton. At the age of 3 I witnessed a murder committed by my father. I experienced things that children should be protected from but I always had it in my heart that my children would have a better life and that I would provide for them. My children have certain issues that mean I have to work harder than the average mum to bring them up. My partner was recently diagnosed with a debilitating condition that will eventually take away his life. This could have been managed in his childhood but he was sadly also a victim of neglect. Luckily we found each other and wished very much to be very different parents. We have been together since i was 18 years old and he has been my saviour. In our story you can read for yourself the further challenges we face. At times I feel there cant be a merciful God but also I know I cant give up on my family.

I have three beautiful children, two of whom have autism and my partner Neil has recently become disabled.

Neil has been diagnosed with Ehlers-danlos syndrome, postural orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome and degenerative disc disease.

He can't get upstairs due to constant pain and regular dislocations in most of his joints, so he has to sleep downstairs on the sofa. Neil also faints regularly and feels dizzy and due to this situation we are now struggling financially.

I had to give up work to care for Neil and the children but he is unable to look after the children by himself because of his health.

We now need to extend the house to make it fit for a wheelchair and a ground floor bedroom and a wet room for Neil to use. I also need to create an extra bedroom upstairs for my youngest child as she is currently sharing with me but she is finding it hard to cope with because she needs to have her own space for sensory equipment and a bed of her own.

My son aged 6 and other daughter aged 5 will not share their toys or bedrooms with my toddler as needing personal space is part of their condition and it affects different children in different ways. This is why conventional approaches to getting them to behave normally dont work and I am always learning new methods to cope.

Dominic age 6 and Amelia age 5 are both diagnosed with autism and also under investigation for ADHD and need constant supervision. They have a lot of anger outbursts which are very difficult to control. They cannot express how they are feeling so they will smack themselves around the head, bite themselves as well as harming each other and other children. They need a lot of support with learning and mixing with other children.

My children need to take medication to help them get to sleep. On a good night I will get 4 hours sleep.

Isabel aged 2 is under investigation by the paediatrician for autism and the absence seizures that she suffers from. I was devastated to find that she also will have lifelong issues.

I need to raise funds to do the much needed extension to my house and buy specialist equipment. I would also like to raise awareness of all these conditions as this has affected us dramatically. I'm 28 years old and a carer for my children and my partner aswell. Neil will in the near future become wheelchair bound because of his EDS and POTS. I love my family and want the best for them and am trying all avenues to give them a future where they can become self sufficient and kind adults.

Please, If you can help me, words could never express my grattitude.

Every donation will help make a difference, no donation is too small.

Any over donations will be split between the national autistic society, pots uk and The Ehlers Danlos society.

If you would like to know any more information please email me chantel1902@outlook.com

Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you very much for any donations you may give.