Support Elise's Launch to a New Chapter in Life

UPDATE AS OF October 31, 2024

It has been a long time since I updated my GoFundMe, and here it is!

A lot has been accomplished at the house. It has been on the market for about two months now. We lowered the price again yesterday hoping to get showings and a buyer before the holidays. Do you know anyone who wants to move to Colorado who would be interested in the home? Here is a link to the listing:

https://m.prspcts.co/qfTRs6Nh9DewMhDU8

Feel free to share this listing or contact me if you have any questions about our property!

I am so proud of the work my brother and I were able to accomplish this summer on the house! We worked very hard to get it ready to list.

The waiting process is difficult. The market is slow. There is still much to do before I move. My days are full of cleaning out the garage and the shed, taking care of my dog Zoey and taking care of my own health. The bills do not stop coming and each day I live on grace to survive. I lost two elderly clients the past month or so, due to various reasons including changes they have had in their lives, and no other appropriate opportunities for income have opened up, but I still have employment opportunities awaiting me once I can get to Washington state. I am maxing out my energy getting the home and myself ready to vacate. I wish I had energy and time to take on a job for some income, but that is not a possibility at this point. Thank you to those of you who have helped me in my time of vulnerability. This has sustained me and I continue to be in need of donations for my daily needs.

Would you, or do you know someone, who might be able and willing to contribute a monthly donation towards this cause until my house sells? Or do you, or does someone you know possibly have ability to make a larger donation? Donations of any size are most appreciated but things are piling up. It has been hard to plan, not having any idea what is coming in. Not being able to plan ahead has a negative impact on being able to make arrangements for car payments and utilities, etc.

I am also staying flexible, and working hard to complete disposing of decades of family possessions as quickly as possible, as I believe this will free me up to be able to evacuate quickly or if the house does not sell, it will open doors to me finding some part time employment here as I wait.

Daily/weekly/monthly needs include: all living expenses including:

• Food and gasoline

• past due utilities that are being threatened to be turned off, as adequate public assistance is unavailable this year

• my car payments are past due. I will pay off the car as soon as the house sells.

• homeowners and car insurance has risen a lot this past year

• my dog has had some health issues and is on medications including expensive prescription food

• past due health care costs that are not covered by insurance

•

One good thing that has happened in this waiting period is that I have been able to process memories that have happened in this home. I came across my grandmother’s diary and read her account of the time I nearly died when I was 2. I had been sick and became unresponsive with no signs of life for 23 minutes. When I awoke, I experienced God as complete love and light and warmth. My mother told me afterwards that she knew God saved me for a reason. I have always known God is fully love and that has been a pivotal experience my whole life in very positive ways. My first memories come out of that time. This house also holds many other memories, many good, and some not so good, but I have been deeply processing these things and know that I am experiencing more life and more love as a result.

With great gratitude and hope I present this updated request. I trust that you, and all who read this request will have courage to ask for help in the ways you need, and as I am able, I would love to be a support to you in your journey of life, whatever stage you are in!

Thank you,

Elise Cadwell

UPDATE as of September 9, 2024:

A big THANK YOU if you have already read my GoFundMe request and to all who have donated! I do not take your generosity for granted! I continue to welcome your participation in order to get to the finish line and I deeply appreciate your consideration!

The current update is that our house repairs are nearly complete and the house is on the market! The market is slowing down, but there have been a couple showings in the past two weeks. I still need to remain in Colorado and have lots of work to clear the garage and storage, care for the property, and prepare for my move. Another item is my dog, Zoey. She is having severe skin allergies and has been miserable. As of today she is receiving some vet care but will need some medications and further care to resolve the issue.

Thank you, again, for your kind consideration! More details can be found below.

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A Warm Hello to All Who Find This Page,

My name is Elise Cadwell and I find myself in the humble position of asking for participation from others because of a series of unfortunate family circumstances.

After I had lived in Washington several years and completed graduate work in Counseling Psychology, my father passed away suddenly in 2014. I moved from Washington back to my childhood home in Colorado to take care of my 96 year old mother and my brother who was seriously ill at the time. In spite of ongoing illness, my brother suddenly decided to leave in 2017 and my mother died shortly after his departure, leaving me as the sole occupant of the family home with two unresolved estates.

The home is jointly owned by my mother’s estate, my brother and myself. Legally, all decisions regarding this property and the estate require participation from both my brother and me. Before and after my mother's passing, I received opposition from my mother and my brother, so it took 9 years to close my father’s estate.

Two years ago, I tried to hire a lawyer, hoping to go to probate and close both estates. My brother had two weeks to respond to the attorney. His blood pressure spiked, and on the last day of the two-week waiting period, my brother had a stroke and ended up in a hospital in North Dakota. When he was stable enough to be moved, I brought him back to Colorado and supported him in his recovery from his stroke. When he was able to walk again, he chose to move back to North Dakota.

Related to the Covid epidemic in 2020, I lost my mental health coaching work. I was given a grant in 2021 to rebuild my business and I worked very hard on this. That year I was diagnosed with a benign Carotid Body Tumor. After surgery I was left with an oxygen deficiency, needing portable oxygen to function at the high altitude of Colorado. I am typically a very healthy and active person who loves to hike and this surprising lifestyle change has been another emotional blow with practical and financial implications. But I received clarity and knew it was time to move to a lower altitude. I was ready to sell the house and move to Washington, but my brother’s stroke forced me to postpone those plans until now.

Meanwhile, I pivoted and took a job substitute teaching and provided transportation and property care for elderly clients. The teaching job was stressful and did not work with my health challenges having to carry around a heavy oxygen backpack. Plus, the income was inadequate to cover the expenses of housing and moving costs.

Two trips out of state last year showed me that I can fully function without supplemental oxygen by moving to a lower altitude. A few months ago I was offered a job at a clinic I used to work for in Washington. As soon as I can get there, I will begin working. I will also be able to complete my clinical hours and set up my professional practice which has always been my goal. I am now more determined than ever to wrap up this chapter in Colorado, but I am facing additional challenges.

My brother has now joined me in fixing the house to get it ready for sale. I wanted more efficiency and teamwork than has been possible for us during this time, and I have felt pressure to leave but my attorney has advised me not to leave until the estate is completely resolved, since it would put me at risk of losing my share of the estate. My brother is a talented handyman and has greatly improved several aspects of the property, thereby increasing the value of the estate. I am grateful for his contribution toward this end.

My church and support systems here in Colorado Springs have been wonderful, and I also have support systems already established in Washington.

I have learned a tremendous amount in this season and I am thankful for the struggle because it has helped me face my deepest fears—one of the biggest ones is the fear of shame for needing to ask for help, but I have been learning that perhaps one of the most mature things I can do is ask for help when I need it, as I believe shame is neither productive, kind, or helpful. I now know that I am more prepared to help others with their fear. I am ready and excited to start this next chapter in Washington and I need your participation to do that. I am in need of funds to finish up the legal process, sell the house here in Colorado, and make the move to Washington. I am inviting you into the tender space in my heart that is learning to receive. Any small amount is a giant gift to me.

Thank you for reading my story and participating in my journey. Know that I would be honored to participate in your life if ever needed.

Gratefully,

Elise Cadwell

How the funds will be spent:

• Pay remaining property taxes

• Medical Bills related to my health and oxygen needs

• Legal expenses related to the estate

• Expenses related to daily living

• Expenses related to final prep of the house for sale

• Moving expenses to Washington

• Initial cost of housing in Washington and funds until my income is sufficient

A note from my friend Hannah: “Elise has been a constant source of hope for me for the past few years. I have been amazed watching her deal with many obstacles with joy and unwavering trust in the goodness of God. Her strength, perseverance, and a fierce hope have carried her through so much. I am completely confident that God has exciting plans for her future and it is an honor to be able to participate and watch her story unfold.”

A note from my friend KC: "I am constantly amazed at how Elise responds to the obstacles in her life and the challenges that have arisen. Her grace and mercy and ongoing pursuit of both God and people is truly an inspiration and a challenge to me. As she presses in to the Trinity, she finds a depth of love, joy, and peace that deeply transforms her and the lives of those around her. Partnering with her to achieve her dreams for the future is a privilege."