Hi, my name is Selene…and I never imagined I’d be writing this.

A few years ago an accident changed my life forever. I suffered a traumatic brain injury that left me with ongoing neurological, cognitive, verbal, and mobility impairments. That same accident also caused severe physical injuries to my spine and left side, leaving much of my body permanently affected. Since then, my world has become smaller, and harder to navigate in ways that most people never have to think about.

I struggle with confusion, memory loss, dizziness, cognitive overload, and constant side effects that never fully go away. Simple tasks can become overwhelming. Ive gotten lost, forget things I was just told, and live with aphasia, which effects my ability to communicate. My mobility has continued to decline, and I was recently prescribed durable medical equipment just to get through daily life. Since the accident, I’ve spent countless hours in and out of doctor’s offices—MRIs, CT scans, neurological testing, and appointments that are exhausting and often inconclusive. There’s very little understanding or support for people living with long-term TBI symptoms. I’m often judged instead of understood, and left to navigate an impossible situation and it’s taken a heavy toll

Now I’m facing something even more urgent.

Because of my injuries, I have no realistic way to increase my income—and rising living costs have pushed me way past what I can manage. I don’t have a car, and once I lose my current housing (which is imminent since I couldn’t afford it even before the recent rent increase) I will have nowhere to go. I don’t have a safety net—no spare room, no family home, no wider support system to fall back on. I’m trying to navigate an impossible situation while living with a brain injury, and I’m overwhelmed, scared, and running out of options.

I’ve been doing everything I can to survive. I’ve sold everything I can, but I don’t own much—and what I do have barely holds value. Food has already become a struggle. Right now, I mostly survive on ramen, rice, oatmeal, or whatever I can find. I currently weigh 94 pounds, and the stress, fear, and instability are worsening my health.

I’ve considered every option. Even the cheapest apartments require large deposits that I don’t have. Living in a car isn’t possible because I don’t have one. An RV or van could give me safety and stability, but I don’t have the means to purchase or maintain one. I’m stuck, overwhelmed, and trying to problem-solve while living with a brain injury.

This fundraiser is my chance to survive.

My goal is to raise enough to cover emergency housing, food and basic necessities, transportation, and basic medical needs so I can stay safe while I work toward stability. I’m not asking for comfort or luxury. I’m asking for safety, stability, and a chance to hold onto my dignity while I figure out my next steps without ending up on the street.

If you’re able to donate, please know that your help directly changes my outcome. If you can’t, sharing this fundraiser means more than you know. I’ll post updates as I’m able so you can see how your kindness is helping me survive this moment.

Thank you for reading my story—and for seeing me.