Disabled Veteran Seeking A Better Life

Hello, my name is Morgan Strongbow and I'm a disabled US Navy veteran. I've been homeless for a number of years now and am approaching my 47th birthday. I was living aboard my boat until recently and now I live out of my van. My sailboat has become infested with bugs ever since I had tied off at a public dock for a few weeks due to losing another kayak. Although I have been struggling for some time, I can usually make the best out of every situation. Just a few days after deciding to move into my van so I could properly tackle the bug infestation on my boat, it was broken into and some of my things were stolen. I no longer feel safe staying aboard my boat, even if the bug infestation was gone. I'm stressed to the max every day and it's affecting my health.

My van isn't much better than my sailboat as there is a bug infestation I've been dealing with since I had parked near the public docks. I've used bug bombs, traps, sprays, powders and even window films. I will need to remove everything from the van and attack the hidden areas in hopes to exterminate all the bugs. Unfortunately, my van leaks every time it rains. The Windows, the rear batch and I think the factory roof racks are leaking into the cabin of the van. The rear window also needs replaced, it is currently just plastic covered in duct tape. Despite all of that, I am fairly comfortable in my van although I fear it being broken into due to the rear window just being tape.

I was really close to being able to buy a house using my VA loan benefits in 2023. Unfortunately, I was arrested last year (first time ever) and spent 21 days in jail because I failed to get a license for my medicine after moving to Florida. During that time, I got behind on all my bills and my car and motorcycle were both impounded. What little money I had in savings I spent in order to get my life back in order but it set me back on my finances. At this point, I'm considering stopping paying ALL my bills, except my car (van) payment, insurance and my storage so I can concentrate on surviving.

I am working on selling everything I can in order to stay alive but it's a very slow process since everything I have is in my storage or at my brothers. Unfortunately, my phone is broken and I don't have a constant internet connection or means of communicating. I also plan on selling my sailboat over the next few weeks as well as looking into selling off anything else I don't feel I need. I need to remove my personal belongings, clean and do some painting before it is ready to list for sale.

What will your donation do? With your help, I plan to use the funds to pay off debt and get myself into a house. I can qualify for a VA loan 1 year after catching up on my bills. That will give me time to save up money for moving-in and any improvements needed/wanting completed. I may consider purchasing land and building from scratch using shipping containers and such but that will depend on what the housing market looks like when it's time to start my hunt.

Why is a house/home so important? Family. I want to start one of my own and I would really enjoy being able to invite my family and friends over for holiday visits etc. I have MANY dietary restrictions and I would really like to have a kitchen where I can cook completely safe meals and I would be able to start putting weight back on as I'm down a good 15+ pounds over the last couple months. Also, I'm very crafty and really enjoy working with my hands. With a place to call home, I could work on many projects I have lined up over the years. My disabilities are constantly slowing me down and everything in my life gets behind. I have quite a few products I have been selling over the years..from screen printed t-shirts, 3d models or products I've designed for 3d printing to parts and tool kits for GoPed scooters and such. I would like to setup a studio to work on some stop motion filming as a hobby and I've been considering starting a business making and selling gluten free crackers and other goods as there is a huge gap in the market for quality, delicious gluten free snack crackers that aren't too hard and crispy.

I am asking for your help, so I can afford get into a house of my own where I can thrive and possibly build a family. I've barely been able to keep myself alive all these years due to the VA denying me the help I've needed and deserved for so long. If you could spare just a little change for this veteran in need and share my fundraiser with a couple friends/family I would be most grateful and appreciative. I really just want a shot at a normal life… every day I lose a little bit of hope and I don't know what else to do.