Funds for Laptop

Hello all,

My name is Irvin Provost, and I am a Stanford student and alumni of Pearson College UWC (45th graduating class). As a result of mental health struggles, I have completely uprooted my life (partly by my design, partly not) and find myself in the position of piecing my life together. I write to you in good health and with stability forged through 3 years of trial and error of figuring out the aspects of my life that I needed to get under control, and letting go of things that I cannot (or at least not letting them influence my actions). So, I ask you to support in me purchasing a laptop powerful enough to support my degree in Political Science and Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity as I attempt to complete my studies at this institution despite not graduating with the class I was admitted with when I got the wonderful news in 2020.

I once read on a forum while attempting to find community with others struggling with Bipolar Disorder Type 1 (I would later learn I struggle with a variant of it that manifests in psychotic features) that folks with this horrible illness constantly experience metaphorical “deaths.” I’ve experienced many of those since 2020, and I am only now reaching out for support knowing that I am in a position to stake my life on the claim that any funds used will be put towards a new laptop. I write to you having found a cocktail of medications that anchor me to this world. I need to make the steps for myself to progress in life, but a good friend told me that if they were in my shoes they’d appreciate it if those that loved me helped me with whatever they could give (even if it was a hug). So, I’ve made major life adjustments and promise myself any investments in made in my humble journey will be repaid through the framework of reciprocity (a value that kept Indigenous communities intact for thousands of years). Even if I can only offer my perspective, a cigarette, or the simple act of uplifting you… I will do those things knowing I don’t have much to give.

Stanford University was fresh terrain that, not a fault of the institution itself, couldn’t handle my extended needs. So, I made the decision to take quite a few academic quarters off so I could breathe and do the work of forging the life that I want in my lifetime. I had to connect with my lineage, where I come from as an Indigenous person, my identity as someone who is two-spirit, the things I loved as a child, and so much more. What I can’t do? Promise you that as someone with a psychiatric illness I won’t come crashing down from mania or depression. I can do my darnedest to prevent that outcome, but I can’t guarantee it won’t happen again. So, please, only give if you can do so with no strings attached. I can’t pour from an empty cup. As a First Generation and Low-Income student, I won’t let my life pass me by and I want to become the lawyer I know I can be when given enough support (in any form).

If you have questions, or would like to catch up in person, you can reach me through my social media account at provost.irvin (instagram).

The price quoted is for a laptop with the specifications needed to run software for political and cultural/anthropological studies, video editing, and more. It is the bare minimum, so if I receive more I can put it towards better specs and other expenses (clothes, tech, tuition/outstanding bills) for a smooth transition at Stanford.

I plan to work this summer, so please don’t feel the need to give more than you can reasonably afford at this time.

With love,

Irvin (any/all pronouns)