ABOUT ME – FUNDRAISER STATEMENT

I paused fundraising while sorting out large relevant things like a safe account for these funds – that’s done, so I’m bringing my fundraiser back to life so that I can get back to life too

I’m a retired 57 year old hermit with itchy feet, autism, complex chronic health issues including severe environmental and chemical sensitivities, physical disabilities, a messy past full of trauma, and a heart made of water and earth… my legal name is Tanya Bucknor, but I’m working on changing it to Ann Cognito, which I use regularly… I’m an artist and writer, over-educated and under-certified, traveled more than some but not nearly enough

I am asking for your help to build a pocket home where I can be healthy and be part of the world again

My Jamaican puppyfish and I walked from Calgary to Ottawa in 2019 to raise awareness about global ecosystem collapse, and set up the Climate Emergency Camp by the prime minister’s office that winter until the first pandemic lockdowns, which kept us in Ontario, and now we live here

My already-complicated health is much worse since then due, to living in places saturated with decades of mold, heavily scented products, chemical cleaners, fumes from cheap offgassing building materials, rats, thieves, and safety issues, because a disability pension doesn’t accommodate healthy housing, nor is there any for people with these and similar health issues unless we create our own - which some do, but many can’t afford to, instead becoming unhoused or living in places with debilitating effects, due to health problems which the system has little tolerance or accommodation for

My puppyfish and I currently live in a friend’s bunkie in the woods near water… it’s a blessing, and I’m beyond grateful… it’s like bubble wrap, though – it makes falling down the stairs less harsh, but won’t stop gravity

I have designed a self-contained solar powered pocket home on wheels, where I can live as safely and with as little ecological footprint as possible, in ways that encourage my health and connect with the planet, while talking with others, listening, catalyzing change, writing, and maybe eventually even making art again (my unfinished website is below)

I tried to want a normal tiny house, settled onto a piece of land, and I drew a folder full of designs that meet the building code requirements… but they’re all much too big, and I can’t fit into that box… I was trying to do things ‘right’ - sometimes I still forget that has to mean right for me… so – my beautiful 4½’x 6’ (with cantilevered ends) pocket home design is attached

It is a feat of minimalization and self sufficiency… I’ve lived partially and completely off grid before, in different contexts and locations – my experiences, along with research, and information from people living in similar ways, have informed this design to allow me to be independent

I love my itty bitty dream home design and sometimes even wake up thinking I’m in it for a moment… I paused fundraising while sorting out some large relevant things including a safe account for these funds, and a safe interim home – now it’s back on track and I’m happy to be hoping to have this built soon

My pocket home plan is attached for your curiousity and perusal

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Health

Not using all my wherewithal to manage the constant effects of living in places that make me sicker will have ripple effects for my health, and allow me to manage this new life

Financial

I estimate 40,000CAD to have my pocket home built, and 10,000CAD for a small electric tow vehicle – happily, combined, that’s less than half the cost of a stationary tiny home built to Code

I’d build it myself if I could, but I’ve found a reputable builder whom I trust with this, and who has already been very helpful

I’ve used the funds previously raised for their intended purpose of finding a stable interim abode, and I now have a safe RDSP account specifically for this fundraiser

I live on a small pension supplemented by provincial disability support – but I’ve always been frugal… if/when I lose any or all of the provincial support (if my home doesn’t fit their rules, or later by leaving the province), I will still have about 2/3 of my income... that will be enough

Math

The general formula for tiny house weight is 50 pounds per square foot, so…

4.5x6=27

27x50=1350

…but I’ve pared everything down so much that it’ll be under 1000lbs

Vehicle

I need a small electric vehicle with at least 1000lbs tow capacity, which doesn’t require a driver’s license… this will allow me to be independent, and allow for enough food and belongings while traveling

I’d love something that also has pedals, but that’s not essential, so a heavy duty golf cart would work nicely

Timeline

I am optimistically estimating fundraising, building, offgassing, and getting moved in to take a couple years

Thank you for caring about my puppyfish and I

Sincerely,

Ann

Walk article: https://globalnews.ca/news/

Website (unfinished): https://anncognitoartist.wixsite.com/anncognito