Mother living in car with epileptic daughter, battling homelessness

When a Texas mother was faced with homelessness, she made the difficult decision to start a new life in Colorado with her disabled daughter.

But her family’s life as a medical refugee has been anything but easy.

Many families use cars to get around, but the McVays call it home. Battling homelessness has been especially difficult for Kristen McVay.

She’s a mother of two and mother to 12-year-old Aiden.

“I would qualify for all these programs but her specific needs of needing medical marijuana, there isn’t a place to go to,” she said.

Aiden looks like any girl her age, but when you get a better look, you notice the mask on her face and the iPad she uses to communicate.

“She was born seizing so within the first 30 seconds of life she had very violent seizures,” McVay said.

Aiden was born with Ohtahara Syndrome, which progressed to Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, both extremely rare forms of epilepsy.

“Her seizures are triggered by chemical scent. It can be laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, she’s seized to someone’s deodorant before,” McVay said.

As Aiden’s full-time caregiver, McVay isn’t able to get a job and hasn’t had a home in months.

“We would qualify for housing but all of them have carpet or laundry facilities so ideally we need a big home in the middle of nowhere, and they don’t have those options for people like us,” she said.

She’s now struggling to afford the rental car she currently leases, but it’s become her only option.

“I don’t know of anyone who can afford $1,000 a month, but that’s where she sleeps the best,” McVay said.

With Colorado’s air quality and access to medical marijuana, McVay believes it’s the best place for her family.

If you’d like to help, we have verified Aiden’s GoFundMe page with doctors. You can help by visiting here.