Sick, Injured, and Stranded

Hi, I'm Katty, and I hate to ask for help!

But this time, I really don't know what else to do.

I am a 45-year old BIPOC artist and bluecollar grunt surviving on a parcel of land in the desert around Three Points, AZ.

Here's part of my story: I ended up camping in a small unincorporated area about 22 miles from Tucson, AZ last year, due to how ridiculous the housing market is. I eventually moved into a 5th wheel RV after living in some hotels, a van, and a tent. After an abusive situation including my spouse and my landlord a few months ago, I ended up in my friends' 45 year old RV you see in the banner image.

If you've ever been at your wit's end with a loved one with a severe addiction issue, you unfortunately know where my money went. I was determined to keep going, getting professional help for my PTSD, anxiety, and suicidal depression. I started doing great at work and enrolled in night classes that my employer paid for, in order to attempt to score a juicy promotion!

Part 1: The Car

I finally was starting to climb out of my hole, and I got a bad dice roll. A couple months ago, I got pulled over and didn't realize I had to go to court. I just found out I have a $750 fine, that will cost me my license if I don't pay up.

The reason I got pulled over is, my car was declared totalled (thanks to my spouse's DUI), and so I had to get a salvage title. That means, in order to get legal registration, I have to fix it enough to pass a level 1 inspection.

I still kept trying to get it fixed up, and I recently (last month) put myself $4,000 in debt to get the suspension fixed and new tires. Unfortunately, the day before I got the suspension fixed, I hit a NASTY pothole. I hit it so hard that my windshield cracked down the middle, and I popped a brand new tire! I also suspect that hitting that bump is what finally made my transmission go out, 'cause 2 weeks later, I stopped being able to drive it.

Part 2: My injury

Also a couple months back, I got injured at work. It is a very painful injury in my right shoulder, which is keeping me from doing simple tasks. After 3 weeks of complaining, I was sent to a workers comp doctor, and after about a month of therapy, my fore arm injury had mostly healed, but my shoulder keeps getting worse. They ended my therapy because it isn't working, and have called for an MRI. I was eventually sent home from work because they can't accommodate my injury, and I won't get any kind of pay until my employer's insuance approves the MRI.

The reason they sent me home without pay is, I unfortunately celebrated my 180th day of being injured with work accommodations. I didn't realize they were counting this, but last year, I lost 2 pregnancies, one of which required life-saving surgery. (That's when my spouse's drinking got bad again) They kept me in an easier job path while I healed, and I guess that counted.

So now, biweekly, my bills go through for the car financing for the car that doesn't work, with my etsy shop barely keeping up with the BANK FEES. Let's not forget that my injury is preventing me from doing any work from home. I can do artwork with pain, but I probably should not be pushing my luck.

Part 3: My illnesses

The depression is starting to shut me down. I am not eating well, and sometimes not at all.

A few months ago, I started having trouble with some side effects from my PTSD meds. Unfortunately, my PCP thinks I might be in the beginning stages of kidney disease. I asked the psychologist to swap my medication because of the kidney damage that could have been avoided, and so he did. The new stuff made me trip out and I had a horrifying reaction. So I dropped everything cold turkey. I tried to get ANY physician to call me back, but it took THREE WEEKS. I am more functional than I was, but I think I might have some kind of brain damage. I haven't been able to keep up with school the past couple of months. Really trying my best, but I can barely stay awake or concentrate any more. I got a new Rx recently, but now I'm stranded, so I haven't picked it up yet. I also worry because if I do manage to pickit up and it hits me wrong, I might not be able to get help.

How is this money gonna help?

SO. This is why I asked for the amount I asked for. I found a couple of used vehicles at a dealer for $7500(that I hope are still there). They were Hyundai Santa Fe's that have AWD, and if push comes to shove, I can put a bed in the back. The rest should help me cover tax and registration, and get me a couple weeks in an extended stay hotel. Which leads me to...

Part 4: Housing

I hate to say it, but I don't think I can survive the winter in that thing. Yeah, I could bundle up good, but I am losing the fight against the animals and insects that are violating my space. I have literally fought things in the middle of the night, not limited to rats and javelinas, and sometimes I have weird spider bites. I'm not sleeping well. If I hadn't dumped all that money into my car, I was gonna put a downpaymet on a new trailer for $40k. I guess it's a good thing I didn't because I never foresaw getting sent home from work.

Other bills:

My storage unit is overdue

My internet is 2 months overdue

Car insurance

Electricity (my friend stopped charging me, but it would be nice to pay them back)

Phone

A stupid amount of medical bills from the past 2 months that are so far up to $1200

FAQ:

"Why don't you do [really obvious question]?"

I am 22 miles from anywhere that public transportation goes, and 5 miles from the nearest convenience store. Uber refuses to come out here sometimes, but even if they did, it costs average $75 one way to get to my work location, which is 30 miles away. Same case for my doctor appointments that aren't telemedicine.

If I don't get enough to buy a car, I will use whatever money I get to stay in an extended stay hotel in town as long as I can.

I'd like to get a real apartment/house rental, but I don't have any idea what will happen with my income.

I really don't wanna sell weird photos online, so I am asking you, kind stranger, if there is anything you can do to help me. If not, that's cool, too. Thank you for reading all this, and uhh.. I guess I'm hitting this button now.