Stand with Stacy: Survivor Seeking Stability

My name is Stacy Corso, and my journey has been filled with hardship and pain. Living in Las Vegas, Nevada, I have worked tirelessly since the age of 16, until everything came crashing down in July 2024, when I turned 57. The jobs I had managed to scrape by on were no longer enough, leaving me with nothing.

Growing up, I endured unimaginable abuse, both physical and sexual, starting at the tender age of 5, inflicted upon me by my own cousin. The trauma escalated further when I was violently raped by an attacker at 13. For years afterward, I carried these burdens in silence, receiving no treatment until this past summer when the weight of my memories became unbearable. My living nightmare became reality again last July when I was brutally beaten and raped by several men in a parking lot as I finished bartending at my evening job. This most recent battery caused PTSD, anorexia, extreme anxiety, and depression which now plague my daily existence, rendering me unable to function. Seeking solace, I spent 11 days in the hospital last year, but now face the reality that my insurance has expired at the end of October 2024.

Though I am finally receiving the help I so desperately need, the financial burden has become overwhelming. I recently experienced eviction due to unpaid rent, and the hospital bills continue to pile up. Basic necessities, such as utilities, gas, and groceries, have become unaffordable luxuries. My savings, once a lifeline goal, have been depleted entirely, and the absence of family support only adds to my despair. My mother, my sole source of familial connection, passed away two years ago, leaving me alone. Though estranged, I reached out to my brother after my hospital stay, only to be met with callous suggestions and neglect. I am unmarried and alone.

In my quest for assistance, I have applied for food stamps, which provide a mere $80 per month, and have sought Medicaid and mental health services. However, my attempts to secure aid for rent and utilities through Social Services have hit a roadblock, as they are overwhelmed and unable to even see me or my application for the next seven months. This realization has left me terrified and at a loss for what to do next. Now, to make things worse, my car was towed away by the bank because I could no longer make payments.

Despite the darkness that surrounds me, I refuse to surrender. I will continue to fight for the support and resources I need to regain stability in my life. I will reach out to local organizations, charities, and community centers, hoping to find a lifeline amidst this storm. There are countless individuals out there who understand the struggles I face, and I believe that, with their help, I can navigate this seemingly insurmountable obstacle. I am determined to rise above my circumstances and rebuild my life, one small victory at a time.

I do not drink alcohol or do drugs. Any donation that you can spare will help me to get back on my feet.

With Thanks, Love and Appreciation,

Stacy Corso