Hi,

My name is Cal Foster. I am a nonbinary and Disabled person. I have been Disabled all of my life, but in the last ten years, my health has declined to the point in which I cannot work any longer and I need to receive full-time care-giving. In 2015, I began to have symptoms of fibromyalgia, and by the age of 17, I was regularly using a cane.

In 2020, I received multiple TBIs only to have to move everything online due to COVID. Proper recovery became impossible, as they recommended reduced technology directly following a TBI. That was followed by the onset of chronic daily migraines combined with debilitating neck and head pain. In 2022, I became incredibly sick and began to faint multiple times a day. This greatly reduced my ability to do basic tasks like dishes and cooking, never mind going to work.

In 2023, I began to regularly use a wheelchair. Despite all of this, I tried my hardest to find jobs that could accommodate my disabilities, mainly working online. I have been met with unkindness, ableism, and an unwillingness to accommodate my needs. In 2024, I began to have multiple seizures a day. To this day, I have not found the root cause of these issues, nor have I found effective treatment that improves my day to day life. I have to spend 90% of my time laying down to prevent further injuries, specifically head injuries.

Last summer, I became homeless. While I am so lucky now to have housing, I am still recovering and am struggling to pay for my basic needs such as bills, laundry, clothes, household supplies, and medical supplies. This fundraiser is now for helping me stay afloat and manage these needs, and as emergencies arise, make sure that I can ensure my housing.

I have applied for every government program I can, including SSI and SSDI. These programs can take multiple applications and multiple years to have any success in actually getting funding. I receive as many benefits as I can from the government, but $450 a month is not enough for anyone to live on in this economy, never mind the regular cost of medical supplies.

I do not have any family that I can go to for support, as they are toxic, abusive, ableist and transphobic so I am no-contact with them now. A trusted person will be my beneficiary for financial reasons. If you are able, even a $1 means the world to me. If you can’t donate financially, I ask for your assistance in spreading this to as many people and accounts as you possibly can. Thank you dearly, I could not survive without the help of my community <3

Cal