Bring Desirai Home

I’m not entirely sure where to begin with this, but here it goes...

Never did I imagine I’d be in a position where I'd need to start a GoFundMe for myself, but life certainly has a way of humbling us, doesn't it? As many of you may know by now, my little sister Angela ended her life last week. She was only 36 years old. The shock of her absence has sent me reeling. I'm still grappling to comprehend the reality of the situation. And though I've faced many hardships throughout my life, I can honestly say that the death of someone so close in proximity to my heart is a pain I've never known. It has rocked me to my core. I am forever changed as a person. I see the world with new eyes.

To provide a bit of context and backstory—without going into too much detail at this time—my family in Nova Scotia is largely estranged due to deep-rooted generational trauma. Both my sister and I lived/live with complex PTSD (though hers went undiagnosed and, sadly, ignored). We have both struggled immensely to create stability in our individual lives, and unfortunately, we were not on speaking terms when she decided to clock out. The heartbreak over this alone adds another very complex and painful layer to the entire situation. I left NS when I was 26 years old and slowly made my way to the West Coast, where I remain today, still picking up the pieces, still healing deeply, and still making it my home away from home.

I’m reaching out to my community because I need to return home to Nova Scotia to lay my sister to rest properly and be there with and for the people who loved her most. However, the financial burden of traveling coast to coast twice, missing work, keeping my apartment, car rental, staying fed, and other associated costs is more than I can bear alone. Typically, a trip to Nova Scotia is something I need to plan and save for at least 6 months to a year in advance. My little sister's sudden passing has brought everything in my life to a very loud, screeching halt at a time when I just don't have the means to do this alone.

I’m asking for your help to make this possible. No contribution is too small, and every bit of support helps ease this burden. I'm actually wildly uncomfortable with asking for help, but as things stand now, I have no other choice. If you choose to help, and if comfortable, please send me your mailing address so that I can send you a personal thank-you note.

If, by chance, the GoFundMe exceeds the asked amount, all extra funds will be given to Angela's eldest daughter, Olivia, who just turned 18 years old.

Thank you from the depths of my heart for any support you can offer during this incredibly difficult time.

May the Divine bless you all.