I Made It to Miami. Now I Need to Make It Work.
The Journey Here
If you’ve been following my story, you know I left Minot, North Dakota with a backpack, a white cane, and a dream. I took trains through Chicago and Memphis, and made my way down to Miami - a 2,500-mile journey that tested everything I thought I knew about myself.
Getting here wasn’t easy. Being legally blind means I can’t drive anymore - I haven’t been behind a wheel since 2021. If I could still drive, this would have been so much simpler. I’d have a car to sleep in, to keep my belongings safe, to get around and look for work. Instead, I’m carrying everything I own in a giant backpack, navigating a new city with 80% vision loss, and sleeping on the street.
But here’s the thing: I love it here.
The warmth, the energy, the ocean air, the ambitious people - everything about Miami feels right in a way I can’t fully describe. I’m willing to have nothing and sleep on the street if that’s what it takes to be here instead of North Dakota. This is where I need to be, and every challenging moment has been worth it.
Where I’m At Now Thanks to my early donors, I made it to Miami. $1,000 of the original funds got me here. I am deeply grateful to everyone who believed in this journey and helped make it possible.
Now comes the harder part: getting established. I’m currently homeless, sleeping on the streets, and carrying everything I own on my back. I’m actively looking for work, but being legally blind makes the job search incredibly difficult. Before I lost my vision, I never had trouble finding employment. Now? It’s a different story. Doors close before they even open. Interviews that seem promising go nowhere. I can’t predict how long it will take to land something.
While I search, I’m also starting my own freelance marketing business - using my skills in copywriting, AI consulting, and content creation to build something for myself. But even that takes time to gain traction and start generating income.
What I Need
I’m asking for $6,000 to bridge the gap while I get on my feet. Here’s the breakdown:
- $3,000- First month’s rent + security deposit for an apartment (having a stable address makes finding work exponentially easier)
- $500- New clothes for interviews and professional settings (my current wardrobe is limited to what fits in my backpack)
- $1,500- Living expenses for the first month or so while I’m getting established (food, transportation, phone bill, basic necessities)
Why This Matters
Having an apartment isn’t just about comfort - it’s about survival and opportunity. With a stable address, I can:
- Get a job- Employers want to see stability, and “currently homeless” doesn’t inspire confidence - Build my business- I need a place to work, take client calls, and present myself professionally
- Stop carrying everything- Right now, if I set my backpack down, I risk losing everything I own -
Sleep safely- The streets aren’t kind, especially when you can’t see potential dangers coming This isn’t about luxury. It’s about creating the basic foundation I need to turn this Miami dream into a Miami reality.
Why I’m Still Optimistic Despite everything
I’m exactly where I need to be. Miami feels like home in a way North Dakota never did. The people here are forward-thinking and ambitious. The weather means I’m not fighting against brutal winters. The opportunities - both for work and for my content creation - are here.
Yes, it’s hard right now. Yes, I’m sleeping on the street and living out of a backpack. Yes, being blind makes everything ten times more complicated. But I’ve come 2,500 miles to be here. I didn’t come this far to give up now. The Path Forward While I wait for the right job opportunity, I’m:
- Building my freelance marketing business (content creation, copywriting, AI consulting for small businesses)
- Continuing to create content for YouTube (@H_Oliver_Dawson) documenting this journey
- Networking and meeting people in Miami’s entrepreneurial community
- Learning the city and building the life I came here to create
Every day is a challenge, but every day I’m also one step closer to making this work.
How You Can Help
If you can contribute, it would mean the world. Even $20 helps - it’s a meal, a night in a hostel, breathing room while I figure out the next step.
If you can’t donate, I completely understand. Sharing this campaign, following my journey on social media, or just sending good energy all makes a difference.
No matter what happens, whether you can help or not, I will make it here in Miami. If you are able and happy to help, thank you! If not, don’t worry, I will figure it out and be just fine.
-----
[Donate on GoFundMe] | [Support on Patreon (Coming Soon)] | [Follow the Journey on YouTube: @H_Oliver_Dawson]
Venmo: @Oliver-Dawson-94 for one-time contributions
Follow on social media:
- TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X: @holiverdawson
Thank you for believing in this journey. I’ll see you on the other side. - Oliver
The Journey Here
If you’ve been following my story, you know I left Minot, North Dakota with a backpack, a white cane, and a dream. I took trains through Chicago and Memphis, and made my way down to Miami - a 2,500-mile journey that tested everything I thought I knew about myself.
Getting here wasn’t easy. Being legally blind means I can’t drive anymore - I haven’t been behind a wheel since 2021. If I could still drive, this would have been so much simpler. I’d have a car to sleep in, to keep my belongings safe, to get around and look for work. Instead, I’m carrying everything I own in a giant backpack, navigating a new city with 80% vision loss, and sleeping on the street.
But here’s the thing: I love it here.
The warmth, the energy, the ocean air, the ambitious people - everything about Miami feels right in a way I can’t fully describe. I’m willing to have nothing and sleep on the street if that’s what it takes to be here instead of North Dakota. This is where I need to be, and every challenging moment has been worth it.
Where I’m At Now Thanks to my early donors, I made it to Miami. $1,000 of the original funds got me here. I am deeply grateful to everyone who believed in this journey and helped make it possible.
Now comes the harder part: getting established. I’m currently homeless, sleeping on the streets, and carrying everything I own on my back. I’m actively looking for work, but being legally blind makes the job search incredibly difficult. Before I lost my vision, I never had trouble finding employment. Now? It’s a different story. Doors close before they even open. Interviews that seem promising go nowhere. I can’t predict how long it will take to land something.
While I search, I’m also starting my own freelance marketing business - using my skills in copywriting, AI consulting, and content creation to build something for myself. But even that takes time to gain traction and start generating income.
What I Need
I’m asking for $6,000 to bridge the gap while I get on my feet. Here’s the breakdown:
- $3,000- First month’s rent + security deposit for an apartment (having a stable address makes finding work exponentially easier)
- $500- New clothes for interviews and professional settings (my current wardrobe is limited to what fits in my backpack)
- $1,500- Living expenses for the first month or so while I’m getting established (food, transportation, phone bill, basic necessities)
Why This Matters
Having an apartment isn’t just about comfort - it’s about survival and opportunity. With a stable address, I can:
- Get a job- Employers want to see stability, and “currently homeless” doesn’t inspire confidence - Build my business- I need a place to work, take client calls, and present myself professionally
- Stop carrying everything- Right now, if I set my backpack down, I risk losing everything I own -
Sleep safely- The streets aren’t kind, especially when you can’t see potential dangers coming This isn’t about luxury. It’s about creating the basic foundation I need to turn this Miami dream into a Miami reality.
Why I’m Still Optimistic Despite everything
I’m exactly where I need to be. Miami feels like home in a way North Dakota never did. The people here are forward-thinking and ambitious. The weather means I’m not fighting against brutal winters. The opportunities - both for work and for my content creation - are here.
Yes, it’s hard right now. Yes, I’m sleeping on the street and living out of a backpack. Yes, being blind makes everything ten times more complicated. But I’ve come 2,500 miles to be here. I didn’t come this far to give up now. The Path Forward While I wait for the right job opportunity, I’m:
- Building my freelance marketing business (content creation, copywriting, AI consulting for small businesses)
- Continuing to create content for YouTube (@H_Oliver_Dawson) documenting this journey
- Networking and meeting people in Miami’s entrepreneurial community
- Learning the city and building the life I came here to create
Every day is a challenge, but every day I’m also one step closer to making this work.
How You Can Help
If you can contribute, it would mean the world. Even $20 helps - it’s a meal, a night in a hostel, breathing room while I figure out the next step.
If you can’t donate, I completely understand. Sharing this campaign, following my journey on social media, or just sending good energy all makes a difference.
No matter what happens, whether you can help or not, I will make it here in Miami. If you are able and happy to help, thank you! If not, don’t worry, I will figure it out and be just fine.
-----
[Donate on GoFundMe] | [Support on Patreon (Coming Soon)] | [Follow the Journey on YouTube: @H_Oliver_Dawson]
Venmo: @Oliver-Dawson-94 for one-time contributions
Follow on social media:
- TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X: @holiverdawson
Thank you for believing in this journey. I’ll see you on the other side. - Oliver