Send Sam to Art School!
Donation protected
I thought I had hit the jackpot when I scored a fantastic desk job in January 2013. Full time hours, close to home, and co-workers who were all so awesome. I was able to keep a sketchbook at my desk, which was a huge plus for me since drawing and doodling improved my focus and reduced my stress. Not only was I allowed to draw, I was encouraged! My co workers began displaying my sketches at their desks, and people on their breaks would come flip through my latest sketchbook drawings.
This all turned around for me rather quickly, when in February I began showing the first signs of Fibromyalgia, which a debilitating chronic pain condition. There were days where I was just sore, for no real reason. Sometimes I couldn't grip a pencil, and others I had to be sent home because I wasn't able to type anymore. Each and every time, I believed it was because I was fatigued; after all I was still adjusting to the new job.
In March I landed in the hospital after my arms flared up so bad I couldn't move my fingers. They ran a series of tests and sent me home. When I followed up with my doctor, she told me that all of my tests came back normal, and I needed to do some serious soul searching.
I lost my job. I could no longer type, and I was beginning to have difficulties walking. Pain killers were ineffective. Anti-inflammatories did nothing. All I could rely on was my heating pack, which needed to be microwaved every half hour. I couldn't always get up to make that happen.
Wondering what I was going to do with my life now that I was sick and unable to work, on an impulse I submit an application for information for the Visual College of Arts and Design in Vancouver for their Graphic Design program.
What happened next shocked me, and gave me hope. When they called me back and asked me some questions about myself, not only did they say I was compatible, they invited me to attend. I was given a guaranteed acceptance if I choose to accept their invitation. I had never in my life expected that an arts college would invite a casual artist such as myself, and I was ecstatic. I slept on it, and called them back to accept.
Now I had something to look forward to!
I was spending much of my time searching for a new job, so I could start a savings. I was determined to push through the pain and make my dreams come true.
But my health began to deteriorate.
I stopped sleeping suddenly, and sleep aids weren't working.
after 5 days of no sleep, I wound up in the hospital again, where they monitored my condition.
The doctor almost immediately said it looked like Fibromyalgia.
I was given medicine, and finally I was able to sleep, but my condition worsened and it became very clear I wouldn't be able to have a job until the new treatment I was on began to work. I was told it could be up to 2 months before I noticed results. At this time I use a cane on occasion to aid me in walking.
I still want to attend my college and push forward, but now I am in some financial trouble because I am unable to work with the unpredictable nature of the Fibro.
I need to get from Nanaimo B.C., which is located on an island off the west coast of Canada, to Vancouver, which is on the mainland.
I was expecting to use my student loan to assist me financially in my move, but due to delays I will not be receiving them until after my course starts, which will be too late.
I applied for a student line of credit to aid me, but I haven't built any credit, and I wasn't able to find anyone to co sign.
I will be unable to move to the mainland in order to attend my college unless I can get funds together. Here is what I need:
$750 - For full deposit on student housing. This room is important to me because it is the only student housing that will allow my pet. Needed ASAP to reserve the apartment for myself.
$750 - For my first month's rent.
$250 - The cost of renting a van to move my items + the cost of taking it across on the ferry and through the city.
$150 - The cost of a transit pass.
Any more than that obtained will go directly to school supplies and supporting myself while I search for employment. I will also be seeking a supportive doctor.
A new chronic pain research center has also opened up in the city, and I will be working towards getting on the wait list to ensure I can get the best possible treatment my country has to offer.
If I am unable to raise these funds, I will not be attending the course. I will not be able to move to the mainland and receive the specialized medical treatment I need either.
Incentives:
Several of my close friends and I are offering various incentives in return for your donations!
If you donate $10 or more, you can request a sketch from either myself (gallery), my friend Brenna (Art Blog) or my friend Nicollini (blog). We will do our absolute best to sketch for you anything you request!
If you donate $25 or more, you can request a full image from myself (gallery) which I can work on in Join.me if you'd like to watch!
OR
If you're familiar with Fantasiawandering's work, she will prioritize writing a page to one of her stories of your choosing, even doing it live in Google docs for you to watch! The chat function will be enabled, so you can pick her brain about writing for however long it takes her to write the page. Even if you have never read her stories, or have never met her before, it's definitely worth checking out!
For $75 she will even make you a character in one of her stories, with a speaking role! (Disclaimer: she has no idea when or if her original novels will be published if you pick one of those, but if they don't sell, she'll post them online eventually).
For $100 you will get an image request by Sam AND a writers workshop with Fantasiawandering, where you have the opportunity to work together on a short story in google docs!
This all turned around for me rather quickly, when in February I began showing the first signs of Fibromyalgia, which a debilitating chronic pain condition. There were days where I was just sore, for no real reason. Sometimes I couldn't grip a pencil, and others I had to be sent home because I wasn't able to type anymore. Each and every time, I believed it was because I was fatigued; after all I was still adjusting to the new job.
In March I landed in the hospital after my arms flared up so bad I couldn't move my fingers. They ran a series of tests and sent me home. When I followed up with my doctor, she told me that all of my tests came back normal, and I needed to do some serious soul searching.
I lost my job. I could no longer type, and I was beginning to have difficulties walking. Pain killers were ineffective. Anti-inflammatories did nothing. All I could rely on was my heating pack, which needed to be microwaved every half hour. I couldn't always get up to make that happen.
Wondering what I was going to do with my life now that I was sick and unable to work, on an impulse I submit an application for information for the Visual College of Arts and Design in Vancouver for their Graphic Design program.
What happened next shocked me, and gave me hope. When they called me back and asked me some questions about myself, not only did they say I was compatible, they invited me to attend. I was given a guaranteed acceptance if I choose to accept their invitation. I had never in my life expected that an arts college would invite a casual artist such as myself, and I was ecstatic. I slept on it, and called them back to accept.
Now I had something to look forward to!
I was spending much of my time searching for a new job, so I could start a savings. I was determined to push through the pain and make my dreams come true.
But my health began to deteriorate.
I stopped sleeping suddenly, and sleep aids weren't working.
after 5 days of no sleep, I wound up in the hospital again, where they monitored my condition.
The doctor almost immediately said it looked like Fibromyalgia.
I was given medicine, and finally I was able to sleep, but my condition worsened and it became very clear I wouldn't be able to have a job until the new treatment I was on began to work. I was told it could be up to 2 months before I noticed results. At this time I use a cane on occasion to aid me in walking.
I still want to attend my college and push forward, but now I am in some financial trouble because I am unable to work with the unpredictable nature of the Fibro.
I need to get from Nanaimo B.C., which is located on an island off the west coast of Canada, to Vancouver, which is on the mainland.
I was expecting to use my student loan to assist me financially in my move, but due to delays I will not be receiving them until after my course starts, which will be too late.
I applied for a student line of credit to aid me, but I haven't built any credit, and I wasn't able to find anyone to co sign.
I will be unable to move to the mainland in order to attend my college unless I can get funds together. Here is what I need:
$750 - For full deposit on student housing. This room is important to me because it is the only student housing that will allow my pet. Needed ASAP to reserve the apartment for myself.
$750 - For my first month's rent.
$250 - The cost of renting a van to move my items + the cost of taking it across on the ferry and through the city.
$150 - The cost of a transit pass.
Any more than that obtained will go directly to school supplies and supporting myself while I search for employment. I will also be seeking a supportive doctor.
A new chronic pain research center has also opened up in the city, and I will be working towards getting on the wait list to ensure I can get the best possible treatment my country has to offer.
If I am unable to raise these funds, I will not be attending the course. I will not be able to move to the mainland and receive the specialized medical treatment I need either.
Incentives:
Several of my close friends and I are offering various incentives in return for your donations!
If you donate $10 or more, you can request a sketch from either myself (gallery), my friend Brenna (Art Blog) or my friend Nicollini (blog). We will do our absolute best to sketch for you anything you request!
If you donate $25 or more, you can request a full image from myself (gallery) which I can work on in Join.me if you'd like to watch!
OR
If you're familiar with Fantasiawandering's work, she will prioritize writing a page to one of her stories of your choosing, even doing it live in Google docs for you to watch! The chat function will be enabled, so you can pick her brain about writing for however long it takes her to write the page. Even if you have never read her stories, or have never met her before, it's definitely worth checking out!
For $75 she will even make you a character in one of her stories, with a speaking role! (Disclaimer: she has no idea when or if her original novels will be published if you pick one of those, but if they don't sell, she'll post them online eventually).
For $100 you will get an image request by Sam AND a writers workshop with Fantasiawandering, where you have the opportunity to work together on a short story in google docs!
Organizer
Samantha Edgar
Organizer
