Brittany’s Fight for Keith’s Care, Dignity, and Independence

SHORT SUMMARY: After losing both of his parents, my cousin Keith—who has a severe mental illness—became unhoused and recently went missing. After 9 long months, I’ve received confirmation that he is alive. I’m raising funds to provide Keith with a small used camper for safe, supported living in my driveway, along with basic utilities and short-term care to stabilize him while we pursue long-term disability services.

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Hello,

My name is Brittany, and I’m writing this GoFundMe in support of my cousin, Keith—who we lovingly call K.J.

Keith is 31 years old. In the past three years, he has experienced unimaginable loss and hardship. Within only 8 months, he lost both of his parents—his mom suddenly and unexpectedly and his dad to cancer . Due to the severity of his disability, Keith has never held a job for more than 60 days. His parents and our grandparents were his lifelong caretakers, his anchors, and his entire support system. Keith is an only child and was left with no financial resources, no life insurance, and no inheritance.

Shortly after his father passed, Keith was given less than a week to vacate the only home he had ever known. Grieving, scared, and confused, he ended up wandering the streets relying on panhandling and public transportation with his belongings in trash bags, until I was able to locate him and bring him to live with me in December 2022. During this time, Keith was doing his best—he was regularly attending therapy on his own—but he struggled with staying consistent on his medications, which is a common and heartbreaking reality for people living with severe mental illness.

Although Keith and I are only five years apart in age, I’ve stepped into the role of advocate, caretaker, and medical historian—doing everything I can to piece together his story and medical support system. I’ve tracked down every medical and educational record I could find, even reaching back to his elementary school years, to help build a case for disability and get Keith the care he deserves.

Despite these efforts, Keith was denied disability. I have since obtained an attorney for Keith and am awaiting a hearing before a judge. Please note: we will not be using any of these GoFundMe funds for legal fees—the attorney has agreed to be paid only if and when Keith is awarded backpay from Social Security/disability.

In 2023, things took a devastating turn. Because of the severity of Keith’s mental health needs and my inability to provide 24/7 supervision while working full time, his behavior—though never violent—became unsafe in a shared home environment. Despite multiple hospital visits, he was repeatedly denied inpatient care because he didn’t meet the system’s definition of “urgent” crisis. With no other safe options, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to place him in a local shelter, where I continued to provide him with rides to appointments, haircuts, and meals. We stayed in contact via email.

In July 2024, Keith went missing.

We’ve heard nothing for nearly nine months. But today—April 22, 2025— I received confirmation from Loudon County Sheriff that Keith has been seen in Loudoun County, Virginia at a local shelter and panhandling in the streets. For the first time in months, I feel hopeful. I believe we are closer than ever to locating him and bringing him back into care.

I am asking for your support to help me prepare for his safe return and long-term care.

Here’s how your donation will help:

1. Purchase a Small Used Camper for Keith to Live In

I want to provide Keith with a safe, private, and manageable living space that fits his needs. A camper offers stability and allows me to care for him closely while maintaining healthy boundaries. Keith does best with limited access to kitchen appliances (a microwave only), and a camper allows for that level of controlled, accessible independence (I will need to have the stove/oven removed). The RV will be parked in my driveway so he can be near, supported, and not alone.

My ultimate hope is that Keith will be able to survive and thrive either independently or within a supervised group home setting.

2. Outfitting the Camper for Safety and Comfort

Your donation will help me outfit the camper with essential temperature control—either a window A/C or a portable heating unit depending on the season—as well as necessary utilities. I will also need to run a water line, power, and contract a company for regular septic tank pumping to ensure the space remains safe, clean, and functional.

3. Short-Term Mental Health Support and Supervision

Funds will help me secure part-time care from a licensed nurse or behavioral health technician who can help Keith manage medication, attend appointments, and establish a daily routine as we await his disability determination. This will provide a much-needed bridge to long-term stability.

4. Transportation and Immediate Recovery Needs

I anticipate other coordination expenses as I attempt to bring Keith home, including food, basic hygiene supplies, and new clothing. Once back, Keith will also require consistent transportation for mental health appointments and services. I often travel for work, and expect to rely on rideshare services to support when I am unavailable.

Keith deserves more than survival. He deserves safety, dignity, and another chance.

He is more than a diagnosis. He is my family. He is worthy of care and community. With your help, I can give him a foundation to heal and reclaim some sense of security.

Please consider donating and sharing this campaign. Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to wrapping Keith in the support and love he needs.

Thank you for being part of his story.

With deep gratitude,

Brittany

P.S. Sharing two photos of K.J. and I as kids. We are both only children and spent a lot of time together while with our Grandparents.