Please Help a Homeless, Disabled Person

Please Help a Homeless, Disabled Person regain a sense of Stability - in order to Rebuild her life in a more positive nature

Hi Friends :-)

My name is Tasha Teeling. and here is a little information about me and some of my story.

I am 45, I have a small aging but sweet dog, named Cookie. My fur baby and I have been living in our vehicle, on the streets of Florida, for about 4 years full time now. Sadly, not by choice.

I was not always homeless.

I graduated top of my class in nursing school. even receiving an award for academic excellence along with additional regard for community volunteer work.

I used to be the one helping those in need.

After graduating, I worked in home healthcare, primarily taking care of quadriplegics and Alzheimer's patients. I did this while also working a second full time job, at a very large bank. At the bank I was a customer service representative, for high end clients. In my banking position,I consistently ranked in the top 5% of the company, in my sector. I say this not to brag, but to make a point that I was not always disabled…. I have been an achiever.

Unfortunately, 2015 broke down my health and ability to adapt. During 2015 a multitude of catastrophic events happened.

I lost my good friend and mentor to lung and brain cancer.

My long term Fiance and best friend left.

A drunk driver crashed through my home, destroying my paid off car in the process.

During this time at I was fighting foreclosure on my home.

With all these events and no family support, I ended up being hospitalized a multiple times.

This has resulted in me becoming permanently disabled and being let go by my employers.

I then went without any income for two consecutive years, but attempted to fight to save my home anyway.

Unfortunately, in 2019 I lost the battle to save my home and was evicted.

I did not give up on life. I took the very most basic, essential, and important things that I could manage to carry on my own- and fit into a very small storage Unit. A storage unit that I was able to afford. I lived in this non habitable garage type unit for over 6 months, while I built out an older van outside the unit. A 2000 Dodge van so that I would able to live a semblance of a life with a permanent bed and place to cook. I knew I would be in it for a long time.

I am filled with sadness to say, I did this mostly all alone, with no contact or help from my family.

During that time, I lost over 40 pounds, due to heat exhaustion (multiple times) and malnourishment.

But I am proud to say; I completed my build - even if it was done outdoors in the Florida heat, during the summer months.

I've now spent almost 4 years living on the streets, moving multiple times a day, every single day of the week.

This constant moving and instability occurred all while I have to deal with my disabilities. I therefore, have never had an opportunity to relax and breathe since 2015.

This instability and search for water and safe parking has put me into a constant state of survival, limiting my life and the ability to have a sense of normalcy.

All of my hobbies, and planned business ventures along with many friendships, which I had previously cultivated, became impossible to maintain as a homeless disabled unemployed person.

I was sadly -simply- put aside.

Police are routinely dispatched to question and harass me ( and many Homeless individuals). I know I am not alone in this- but I am ready to get away from this.

I am also forced to escape the brutally hot Florida climate for cooler temperatures, so that I and my only doggie companion, do not die in a hot vehicle. Our vehicle has reached upwards of over a 100 degrees Fahrenheit- in the worst of humid conditions.

This translate to the fact that because I must travel north, I end up far from my medical professionals and must spend extra money for gas to move back and forth for survival- not pleasure.

I have been disowned and disinherited by all of my living family members. They have refused to speak to me or answer any of my questions concerning my well-being. I've simply been abandoned , as if I never existed or wanted.

This state of abandonment , hurts very deeply and causes me to be in a constant state of grief as well as loss, which plagues me often.

This situation, which affects my state of mind, has completely destroyed the relationship between my Son and I, whom I love more than anyone, and I want back in my life. But to do so I know I must regain a semblance of my stable, energetic and balanced self.

I have looked endlessly for apartments or other sorts of stable / traditional living situations - that could possibly allow me to get me off of the streets. While remaining close to my doctor and pharmacist of 10 years (who sees me monthly). I simply, do not make enough on disability income to meet the income criteria, to be approved for 4 walls.

Family is not an option, so moving in even temporarily with them is off the table.

If that were the case I'd be able to get a stable, somewhat comfortable location, allowing me to be able to heal. Eventually being able to put my skills into some of my business ideas that would grant me a stable lifestyle. I was once able to be productive, helpful, and to contribute to this world.

Recently I've met up with (and been taken under the wings of 2 friends) who recommended an option that would help alleviate a substantial portion of my parking and resource instability. By default this solution would help decrease my constant state of fear and anguish.

The proposed solution: the purchase of a camping pass called “Thousand Trails” and Encore Resorts.

This is a membership whereby you are able to stay in campgrounds and RV type resorts for multiple days of the month, at a fraction of the cost of paying by the day or month. (Some fees are upwards off 88$ a day when purchasing them by the unit)

Although this membership would still not grant me the ability to sit still and focus on rebuilding as much as an affordable and permanent dwelling for 1 year or so, it offers me a legal place to park, electricity to power the air conditioner and access to water and bathrooms. It is the most attainable and affordable method I have fallen upon in the last 4 years. I desperately need this option at the moment.

At 1500$ for the year it could save my sanity. I'd be able to sit still approximately 70% of the time and remain in a legal safe place- although I would not always be close to my doctor. At least I'd be able to have access to first world resources at one location.

Not having to think about where to get the essentials of living and staying clean, would allow me the head space I need to move towards stabilizing my life.

At only approximately 1500$ for the year it would give me the best and most affordable means to build back up my life. (Just to put this into perspective this membership pays for itself in about 17 days at a resort of 88$ a day) I would have a year of stays of 14 days in and 7 days out throughout the year.

In closing, they say God helps those who helps themselves- but this time I am extremely tired. I am utterly burnt out from a lifestyle that I did not choose. It is a dream for some and was a dream for me to be able to travel, not to do to survive.

I am therefore reaching out for needed help …

Having an absent family that is normally considered a support system has proven almost fatal in the past. I do not have a family there to answer the phone or questions - including but not limited to my mechanical breakdowns and medical emergencies.

I will forever be traumatized by the fact that my entire family will not speak to me and seeks only to forget me.

I will always remain hopeful, to one day return to a fraction of my successful nature, to regain and excel at life as I once did.

I hope to heal from this heartache as much as possible. To do so I absolutely need your support to make this happen.

Please help me to regain a semblance of normalcy and getting me off of the dangerous streets (most of the time) by showing your support today.

Thank you so very much for even reading this far..

Tasha Teeling

Christina Serpa N.D

Thérapeute de Mouvement , Naturopath et Massotherapeute