Provide a Safe Haven to Heal

My Story

Life has presented me with numerous challenges, much like many others. As a domestic and sexual violence survivor, I know firsthand how trauma can shape who we are. The pain I’ve faced has, at times, felt insurmountable, yet it has also deepened my empathy for others. While I’ve fought hard to thrive and create a stable life, the weight of past experiences and recent hardships has made this journey increasingly difficult.

For the past two years, I made significant strides. I rented my first apartment, built a fulfilling career as a recruiter and account manager, and bought my own car—a 2003 Toyota Corolla with over 350,000 miles. I was proud of the life I was creating and excited for the future. However, everything changed on October 1st, 2023. A neglected water leak led to my apartment ceiling collapsing, devastating everything I owned. My renters insurance didn’t provide the coverage I needed, leaving me in a precarious financial situation just as I faced eviction.

I've never worked harder for anything before in my life.

It's not much, but it was home - Messy and crazy looking, I built this on blood sweat and tears and finally had a safe place to call my own.

The initial crack, moments later everything began to collapse.

The first panel collapsed. The rest came quickly after.

Waist high in insulation and god-knows-what else.

Everything was ruined.

The loss of my belongings was overwhelming. Just before receiving an eviction notice, my car broke down, making it impossible to live out of it as I had planned. The emotional toll of losing my home and possessions was compounded by a physical injury; I sustained a cut from the collapse that worsened due to an undiagnosed condition: type 1 diabetes. Over the past year, a small scratch has developed into a wound nearly half the size of my right leg, resulting in excruciating pain and nerve damage.

Left with just a pile of junk in the middle of the room.

After being evicted, I temporarily stayed with my partner’s mother, but the environment was far from supportive. Constant ridicule and a lack of understanding about my health challenges led to further emotional strain. I ended up hospitalized with severe infections, including pneumonia and kidney infections. I underwent surgery to debride and graft my leg, but the procedure failed, and my condition continues to deteriorate.

*Warning: Some photos below show a medical condition that I am enduring and a large reason for my campaign and request for assistance. They may be considered graphic. I chose to show them without censorship, as the pain and suffering that I am experiencing is unfortunately also without censorship.

The initial injury.

Progressively failing to heal.

Continuing degradation of wound.

Improvement after surgery.

Recent photo, even after surgery it continues to grow in size and severity.

Currently, I am living in an extended-stay hotel with my dog, Dolly, and my cat, Skitter. I’ve recently started a part-time remote job, but it’s not enough to cover my mounting expenses. I am now over $25,000 in debt, including medical expenses, and my only option feels like making it day to day, hand to mouth, until I can properly work on paying down what I owe. I desperately need stable housing to facilitate another surgery for my leg before I face the risk of amputation or worse. If it weren’t for my leg, I might have tried living in a tent to manage my situation, but the severity of my wound makes that far too dangerous.

Looking through photos of my former apartment breaks my heart. It’s painful to see what I built with hard work and determination reduced to rubble. It’s easy for others to say, "Just keep going," but finding the strength to push through each day—especially with the uncertainty and fear I face—is incredibly challenging.

I'm scared. I wish it wasn't like this. I'm so sorry that it is.

What Donations Will Be Used For

Your contributions will directly help me with:

If you are unable to donate, I ask with all my heart that you help by sharing this campaign with your social media, friends, or family. Even a small contribution—less than the cost of your monthly subscription—could help save my life. If each person who sees this campaign gave just $1, it could make a life-changing difference.

Why Should You Donate?

I understand the skepticism surrounding crowdfunding. You might wonder why I’m asking for help instead of working harder. The truth is, I’ve always believed in self-sufficiency, and if it weren’t for my life-threatening wound, I might have continued to struggle without asking for assistance. But given my current circumstances, it’s vital to prioritize my health and recovery. I am committed to rebuilding my life and, once stable, I pledge to give back to others in similar situations, supporting organizations that help survivors of domestic violence and homelessness.

My Pledge to Give Back

Once I regain stability, I commit to giving back to my community. I plan to support organizations that assist survivors of domestic violence and homelessness, and I’ll personally mentor those in need. Furthermore, if donations exceed my original goal significantly, I will ensure a portion goes to vetted organizations or individuals who are struggling.

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I am determined to rise again and support those who come after me. I have never been somebody who asks for assistance in life, as I grew up being told that the world doesn't owe you anything. But if we all passed along just a small piece of the kindness we want to see in the world, maybe it will multiply and come back to us in the end.

Give someone a second chance at life, at health, at smiling again.

A chance at clean clothes, food to eat, and shelter.

A chance to someday wake up without pain, without an oozy wound stuck to her sheets.

A chance to find community and support, now that she understands, finally, that she didn't know it all like she thought at 18.

Make friends, be in love, have a family, life a life beyond pain, anxiety and isolation.

To feel worthy of asking for help, rather than to suffer in silence.

A chance to fall down ten times, and stand up eleven.

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Total Estimated Expenses Over 4 Months: $10,000

How Your Donations Will Be Used

Your generous contributions will ensure that I have stable housing, necessary medical treatment, and basic necessities while I work toward rebuilding my life.

Monthly Breakdown (Approx. $2,500/month)

1. Housing (Extended Stay Hotel)

Estimated Cost: $2,600

(Approx. $650/week)

2. Medical Expenses

Estimated Cost: $1,800

(Includes wound care supplies, co-pays, and medications, some of which are for my PICC line not covered by insurance)

3. Food and Groceries

Estimated Cost: $300

(Basic groceries and meals)

4. Transportation

Estimated Cost: $150

(Public transportation, gas, or ride-sharing)

5. Pet Supplies

Estimated Cost: $100

(Food, litter, and other essentials for my dog and cat)

6. Basic Necessities

Estimated Cost: $200

(Personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies)

7. Debt Repayment

Estimated Cost: $200

(To begin addressing outstanding medical debt)

This is simply an outline used to show a realistic depiction of how I will utilize donations. While I fight to feel as though I am even worth it, whether I should even share this campaign for support, I have to remind myself: We are all worth love and care. I am not damned to suffer just because I was not born into a situation in which I have a support system as an adult.

I hope one day to create or at least inspire a fund for young homeless women, and men, who have no family to help support them or give them shelter to heal during times of medical emergency. We live in a time of amazing advancements and connectivity beyond what was ever thought possible. The least we can do is give each other a chance to heal with dignity.