Julia's Back-On-Her-Feet Fund
Hey all - for starters, my name is Julia.
Out of insecurity I will say: If you don't care, please don't read this. I am going to share some really personal information, and I'm not looking to be judged.
I don't need help. I would like it, though.
I consider myself a fighter; I work 2 jobs, but barely make enough to get by; I am a student who can't afford this semester or the next; I have been in the hospital a few times this year, due to genetics and poor luck; I recently lost my vehicle to a bad accident; and I can't seem to get my feet back under me.
Allow me to let you in on a few details of how 2016 has been for me, let's see - where to start..
I recieved a marriage proposal from Jared Freeman on December 23rd, 2015.
That engagement ended February 16th, 2016, when he left me with only half of my belongings, none of my money (negative almost $1,000, in fact), none of my stomach medication, and he stole my dad's credit card and truck.
Needless to say, I was devestated. He left one morning to get us breakfast and kissed me goodbye as if he would be right back. I have never seen him since.
January 21st, 2016, the trial -in which I was the victim- finished for the second time, as the first was a mistrial (lasting the better part of 2015). I was on the stand for 3 1/2 hours or so, in both trials. Finally, the defendant was found guilty on all charges, and sentencing was scheduled for April 22nd. In April, the 2+ year court process was pretty much over. He was sentenced to 8 years in prison for what he did to me.
In May, I guess you could say I got overwhelmed. I broke down. I cut most of my hair off, and proceeded to gain 80lbs in the next 6 months. For my birthday, also in May, I got a tattoo reminding me that I don't want to commit suicide. "Tough it out."
I went from this:
To this:
In June, I moved out of my apartment for financial reasons, and stayed with a friend for the next 2.5 months, while I tried to "get back on my feet." I still owe him big-time.
September was and always is really hard for me, as I had a boyfriend severely injure himself in that month when I was in my teens. However. that jump-started me back up with therapy again, and I started to improve.
By October, things were looking up. I got an apartment with my sister (with the help of a personal loan), a new job, and recently purchased (with a loan from a friend) a reliable vehicle.
Now. Like most people I meet, I have medicaid. In early November, I reached the peak of how much a person can make per month and still qualify for the program. (A whopping $1,304/mo is too much, if you're wondering.) I was already struggling to shower, get to work at all, call anyone back, get out of bed, anything that required effort, etc. This idea that I might lose my medication was the last straw for my stress level, as I am on quite a few medications due to my stomach disorder (gastroparesis) and PTSD (3+ years of a close family friend sexually abusing me as a child), and I cannot afford even one of them without Medicaid. I, again, broke down, and stayed in a psyciatric hospital for just over a week. I was back home November 14th, staring life in its' ugly face, and ready to tackle anything. I was going to work twice as much, apply for 'real' health insurance, and move up in my life.
On November 16th, two days later, I was attacked in my apartment, starting - among other things - a new beginning of court dates. The man who attacked me worked at the apartment complex, so I'm currently in the process of trying to move out, as I can't even enter my bedroom anymore. The company is being very accommidating, and we will luckily be able to move without reprocussions of breaking our lease. Where we/I will go, I am not sure. I know I can probably stay with a couple different people, but I need a home, eventually. I need stability. At least I have my truck, right?
December 11th, Sunday morning just after 7am, I was headed home from working an overnight shift, and hit black ice. My truck - which I tend to live out of; carrying my daily meds, make-up, some clothes, backpack, computer, phone, important paperwork binder, personal effects, etc. - rolled 4 times, finally landing with the drivers' side on the ground in the dirt and snow. I sustained a concussion, bruised ribs, a severely pulled muscle in my left shoulder, and random bruises and body aches. I'm left feeling grateful that I'm alright, and sad considering my circumstances. I'm out of a home. I'm out of a car. I'm almost out of work. I'm in pain, and I start physical therapy next week.
The goal amount ($4,500) is unrealistic, I understand that. I just put the amount I'm down. Said amount will pay off the loan to the friend for the truck(the remaining $2,000 owed), pay my bank loan off(the remaining $1,489 owed), and hopefully allow a way for me to find an apartment while being out of work for so long, as well as a vehicle so that I can keep my 2 jobs.
I'm not trying to get you to feel bad for me. I want you to know, I will beat this. I will overcome, just like I always do, with or without help. I just.. I'm really struggling to get back to zero. I know there are people who want to help and simply don't know how. If that is your case, I plead with you.. consider me.