Final answer:
Although the text only indirectly mentions Alex's mother's illness, the pressures he faces from contributing to household finances and managing academic workload amid scarce resources suggest a struggle that very likely includes coping with his mother's condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Through the text provided, Alex's challenges are multidimensional and not solely focused on his mother's illness. However, it is evident that he faces significant hardships that could be attributed to his overall struggle, including coping with his mother's condition.
My impression of Alex is one of a resilient individual stretched thin by his obligations and the lack of resources. The writer illuminates Alex's struggle by detailing his exhaustive routine and the lack of support he receives at home.
This includes his responsibility to contribute financially and lack of time and energy for school assignments, which may reflect the burden of his mother's illness indirectly. Furthermore, the absence of a computer and printer at home exacerbates his challenge, representing the socio-economic difficulties he faces.
References to the text, such as "By Thursday, the only day he might have available to work on that assignment, he's so exhausted he can't bring himself to start the paper," directly illustrate his struggle with maintaining his academic responsibilities amidst personal and family challenges.
This exhaustion could suggest that the stress of his mother's illness and its implications on family dynamics is indeed overwhelming him.