Please help Akasha Show Up.

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this. I truly need your help. My car has died for good. Without it I can't show up to doctors appointments, food shopping and errands. Having a car is literally a necessity.

Nine years ago I became permanently disabled with a neurological disorder. In less than a year I lost my ability to work, my home, health insurance and savings. I'm blessed to have loved ones who could help me get to Massachusetts where I could get services and health insurance. In eight years I've had 9 surgeries, five of them major. I've been fortunate to come back from each, maintain my Independence, give back to others and help in the community.

Now my car has died for good. There is nothing left underneath but rust. My social security doesn't allow for savings, even though I am very frugal. I've checked into grants that I don't qualify for, and I cant afford monthly payments on a loan.

I was often without this car over the years because of mechanical repairs. Along with daily physical therapy, an average of three hours per day on the phone to doctors, social services, etc., I was then spending hours trying to schedule rides or pickups. I live in a rural area, where there are no buses.

When I was without a car in the more populated towns, the buses take up to 6 1/2 hours round trip for my errands and appointments. It was incredibly challenging with the neurological disorder, not to mention stressful.

People have been very kind and helped where they could, but it's not a long term solution.

Without a car I can't get to:

      • doctors appointments
      • the pharmacy
      • food shops
      • errands

I work very hard everyday to keep my Independence, and I'm fortunate to still have control of my body. However there is only so much I can do without a car. I don't need a new car. I just need a solid, mechanically sound, safe and reliable car that isn't rusted out underneath.

I've spoken with trusted mechanics and researched it online. The consensus for mileage is to keep it to 150,000 miles or below so it lasts. I can afford some maintenance, just not a hundred dollars a month or more. If I could afford high maintenance I would just get a loan. What I've found from my research is that for around $3,800 I could find a good, solid car that enables me to get to my appointments and errands, keep my independence, and is financially feasible to maintain.

If I go over my goal, I would like to donate to causes that serve those in need like food banks, shelters and abused children. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I very much appreciate it.