Connors Journey

Hi Everyone!

My name is Connor, and here I will tell you quite a bit about my story in life and why I am choosing to fundraise. Any donations big or small are greatly appreciated, and to those that have remained in my life, you are loved and appreciated.

My journey so far in life has been beyond unique. At age 12, I lost my best friend due to a tragic house fire, at age 13, I was sexually and physically assaulted for 6 months by a family member. When I chose to pursue legal charges on my family member, and it was safe to do so, my family life and mental health had taken a turn for the worse. The family member had decided to flea, breaking conditions, and didn't show up to trial. 4 years later, there is STILL an active Canada wide warrant for his immediate arrest. At this point, due to severe stress of the legal system and telling my story quite a bit to many professionals, family members etc. I had been diagnosed with PTSD in the ER, and was told to go home and take a multi vitamin. A few days later I returned to the ER, and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, hospitalized for a total of 4 weeks whilst they tried to find adequate treatment. Not too long after discharge, the antidepressant I was on at the time had contributed to my suicidal ideation(s), which not too long after is where my first suicide attempt came about. During my long 4 years of working with professionals to find proper treatment, I had attempted suicide twice. During these mental illnesses my caregivers had decided I wasn't fit to be living in their home, so I was placed in the system (foster homes, group homes, independent living programs and youth homeless shelters) over the course of approximately 2.5 years. Last year in 2022, whilst living in the youth homeless shelter in Nova Scotia, I had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder AKA BPD. BPD is such a complex diagnosis, one that usually stems from trauma and neglect. At that point, I was put on many heavy dosages of medications to the point where I could barely function. In January, I decided I didn't want to continue with the terrible cards life has thrown at me. I was hospitalized for a total of 8 weeks, where of 4 weeks I was held in the ICU for dialysis. 3 months ago, I received a diagnosis for ADHD, and for myself predominantly the inattentive type. During the last 3 months of working with many practitioners, having the legal right to accept or refuse treatment as of 16 years old (now 17), remaining in the role of an informed patient, educating myself on medications recommended, only now have I found proper treatment. Many of my medications some of which are for such diagnosis(s) and some of which are the result of my mental illnesses and suicide attempts such as a strong antacid to control the damage in my stomach lining, are not exactly what you would call cheap, equalling to a total of approx. $500/month.

After 3.5 years of removing myself from a toxic housing environment with my caregivers, I had decided to move back 6 months ago, as we thought through many family discussions and counselling, many improvements had came about. However, a week ago a major argument had occured, where words had been exchanged, much of which had been hurtful towards myself. In mid August, we had been transitioning between houses, due to our landlord providing aqueduct notice for selling of the property. Our move in date for the new house was September. My caregivers had always struggled with finances, 8 years ago, they had went through bankruptcy, loosing everything but the car. I have always been employed since age 14, with a decent savings so during the move, I had loaned over $4,000 to my caregivers for accommodations, food, laundromat expenses and more. When I asked for some money back, whenever they would get their paycheques, even if it was $20, it was always a no. During this fight, I had been told to leave the home, to which I believe my caregivers didn't care where I ended up and felt entitled to my savings. In September, I had decided to terminate myself from my full-time job, due to many stressors and had originally planned to look for a less demanding, stressful job, offering part-time employment. During all of this, my father had also been terminated without reasoning or cause from his job, receiving a decent severance pay. Now however, due to terminating from my job, and my father being laid-off, I will loose health benefits. On top of all this, I am lucky to have found a friend that was willing to take me in for a monthly rent. I am actively looking for a job, but the struggles in actually securing a job is beyond confusing, as many employers seem to be "hiring". I am now struggling without a job, without health benefits and without savings to meet my basic living needs, such as food, toiletries, medications, rent, phone bill (not exactly the top of my priority) and renewing my buss pass for transportation to interviews, medical appointments, etc.

Ultimately, after this week, my relationship with my parents is pretty well what I would consider destroyed. I called social development in the hopes to obtain emergency funds, to which I was told a 3 month waiting period without your biological caregivers supporting you financially is required before any government help is/ will be issued. A current investigation is underway for child abandonment, however let's say it wouldn't be the first time, just more severe this time. I was instructed to have absolutely 0 communication with my parents and brother during this active investigation.

It truly breaks my heart, that my biological caregivers, will probably NEVER demonstrate enough apology to entertain a relationship in the future.

I hope throughout this message, you have gained more knowledge on how severely flawed our government system is, and needs major improvements.

Thank you for reading this far!

Xoxox

Connor

You may ask yourself why I have chosen such a big goal on this fundraiser, and to sum that up, I'm looking for support in many of my expenses to soon come as well as, hoping to secure funds to hire a family lawyer, where ultimately, I am going to fight for my caregivers to sign over their custodial and decision making rights. They have always shown to be narcissistic and incapable caregivers ever since MY TRAUMA. I always find it funny how sometimes the ones closest to you, struggle more with a trauma that you endured, while yourself (me), has accepted it and moved on. Legal fees, and living expenses have never been cheap, but even a donation of $5.00, I'd probably shed a tear or two, everything and anything is appreciated.