Help Anna and Brian with a small camper

We are Hollin and Brian, a loving couple facing unimaginable challenges. Our world has been turned upside down by Brian's devastating illnesses (MCAS/POTS/Autoimmune Conditions), which have left him unable to work for nearly two years.

Despite Hollin's tireless efforts as the sole breadwinner and caregiver, we are now in a desperate situation. We had our camper nearly repaired as hurricane Helene hit. Knoxville (where we were house sitting), was spared most damage, but our camper was not. Last minute efforts led to us barely salvaging it, and then the campground we found opted to not let us stay due to our political/religious beliefs (which is currently being litigated). Our credit and savings are destroyed, and it has been through grit and grace of friends that we have survived.

Now we live out of campgrounds, Brian is Disabled, Hollin is working full time, fulfilling her clinical hours, and doing a full time grad school work as she also serves as sole breadwinner and caretaker. Brian maintains camp.

Our Story: A Life of Hard Work, Care, and Service Upended

Brian's journey of care-giving began early. At just 16, he cared for his great-grandparents as their health failed. Every morning, he'd drive to his grandpa's to make him coffee and sit with him at the hospital each night. Bonnie, his great-grandmother, taught him to cook, fish, and love his neighbors - values that shaped his life of service. At 17, he received the Tennessee Library Association’s Freedom of Information award for his work combating SB49, a “Don’t Say Gay” bill introduced by then State Representative Stacey Campfield. In the years that followed, he continued those acts of service and has tried to pray with his feet at every opportunity.

Brian, despite his disabilities, is far from incapable. He took himself from an 8th-grade education and running away at 16 to making six figures, implementing operations and strategy, and leading teams at massive companies. He did all this while masking and fighting through his symptoms for over 12 years. Now, he's put those 15 years of high-level corporate skills to work trying to navigate the system, only to be shut down at every turn.

In early 2020, and Brian's health took a devastating turn. After 15 years of misdiagnoses, mounting medical bills, and depleted savings, he was finally diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS, MCAS) and other related conditions. Imagine a heart that races to extreme beats per minute just from standing up, brain fog that makes everyday tasks nearly impossible without proper accommodations and medical equipment, and a body so weak that even showering feels like running a marathon. That's Brian's daily reality.

Hollin, who is on the autism spectrum herself, has been working tirelessly to support our family. She's renewed her RBT license, started at a new Applied Behavioral Analysis Clinic, and is pursuing her BCBA certification through grad school. She's juggling a full-time job, full-time classes, and a clinical hours contract, all while being Brian's primary caregiver. Every day, she shows up and gives her all to the autistic children she works with.

Our old camper, USS Newmar, that we had hoped to live out of before Hurricane Helene + Damage sustained at the long term campground we found took her out of commission.

We've Tried Everything, But the System Has Failed Us

Since March 2024, we've been in survival mode. We've lived in a tent, house-sat, and reached out to every available resource: Vocational Rehab, SNAP Education and Training, Community Groups, United Way, and Disability Services at Pellissippi State Community College. Despite our best efforts, we've fallen through the cracks of the system.

We've tried to work with both our families, but they believe that Brian's disability and our homelessness are punishments for being queer and liberal. They refuse to attend medical appointments or review documentation. Brian's father has laughed at him, wishing for his death, while his grandfather has threatened to kill him multiple times. This rejection and cruelty have added immense emotional pain to our already challenging situation.

Our Urgent Needs

We're seeking help to purchase a small travel trailer with solid walls. We're caught in an impossible situation where we need stability to create change, but can't achieve stability without help. This would provide:

A Plea for Understanding

We're not just asking for financial help; we're asking for understanding and support. We're asking for people to believe us, to see the reality of invisible illnesses, and to recognize that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you need a helping hand.

To any parents reading this: believe your kids. Fight for them. Even if you don't understand or agree with everything, fulfill your end of the social contract and ensure their basic needs are met. It's the right thing to do.

Our Promise to You

We commit to using every cent wisely and fighting with everything we have. We'll provide regular updates and be transparent about our progress and challenges. When we're back on our feet, we promise to pay this kindness forward.

The silver lining? In two years, Hollin will complete her clinical hours and schooling, significantly increasing our income. We just need help bridging this gap. With your support, we can make it through this crisis and rebuild our lives.

From the depths of our hearts, thank you for reading our story. Thank you for seeing us, believing in us, and giving us hope when we need it most.

With profound gratitude and determination,

Hollin, Brian, and Yogurt