...was also the time when I least could afford it.

Two little kids under age 5, but so new into my career that we were honestly living paycheck to paycheck. I had a degree, a license, and a full-time job working for the state. Yet at the same time my pay was low enough that I would've qualified for food stamps had we applied.

I think maybe those gofundme's aren't always necessary. But I'll bet they are always appreciated.