Sara Laughlin's Story: Trying to Stay Afloat

A Single Mom’s Fight for Stability

by Sara Laughlin, Parent Advocate

My family is struggling on multiple fronts, and no matter how hard I try, it feels like the system is stacked against us. We rely on Medicaid, but finding quality healthcare providers who accept our insurance is extremely difficult. Even when we do find someone, they’re often booked out for months, which means our needs—especially my children’s—go unmet or are delayed far too long. It’s exhausting knowing that help exists but feels out of reach.

Transportation has also become a major barrier. My only car is broken down, and the repair bill is more than I can afford. Being self-employed and a single parent, I don’t qualify for a traditional loan to fix it or buy a new one. Without reliable transportation, everything becomes harder—getting to appointments, running errands, or trying to take on work hours outside the home.

Housing is another ongoing challenge. I don’t qualify for typical assistance programs, but the cost of a 3-bedroom rental in our hometown is outrageously high. Landlords require income levels that just aren’t realistic for single-income families like mine, especially when you factor in the rising costs of utilities, food, and gas. It feels like I fall through every crack—earning just enough to be disqualified from help, but not enough to actually live comfortably or securely.

I’m not looking for a handout—I just need systems that make it possible to get ahead, instead of ones that keep pushing families like mine further behind.

When summer comes, everything gets even harder. My oldest is out of school, and finding affordable child care is nearly impossible. Next year, I’ll have all three of my kids home, and the thought of managing work while caring for them—physically, emotionally, and financially—is overwhelming. Child care is expensive, and working more hours isn’t realistic without support.

Despite all of these hurdles, I am doing my absolute best. I work, I parent, I problem-solve daily—but the everyday struggles keep me in survival mode. I’m not looking for a handout—I just need systems that make it possible to get ahead, instead of ones that keep pushing families like mine further behind.