Hello Friends,

As I think all of you are aware who are receiving this, I had a car collision with an unavoidable fallen rock back in January that sadly totaled my Prius. This circumstance also derailed my/our plans to move back to California and start graduate school that same month. It was quite a transition logistically to then stay, and a lot to figure out, but we are okay and very grateful that we didn't get hurt, only our car did.

A lot has happened since. I've needed to go through further vision rehab, adjust my assistive technology, which has taken a long time, and after a lot of consideration, we have decided to stay in Oregon for now. I am grateful that we have had things work out in various ways after the above turn of events. I was supported by a community agency with a rental car until a week ago, I got into Pacific University to start a master's in social work starting this August, and I have a great job lined up that also starts at that time.

I am still unemployed, and currently in a now very difficult situation as since I am unemployed, I cannot be approved for a car loan. As I mentioned, I am now without a car, and it really is creating a crisis for us. I've also tried to apply for a small private loan, with no success as I do not have a job.

I need a car this next week for two important eye appointments up at OHSU Casey Eye Institute, and I also have to go through further assessment for more assistive technology another day this next week. Getting to these appointments isn't easy with public transit, and Uber and car rentals add up quickly. Also, I do have the option of working very part-time for the nonprofit I'll be working for starting in August, but need a car to be able to get to various sites to work with clients. So, this has all created a lot of stress for me.

I'm in a bit of a catch-22 situation. After exhausting my options of trying to get loans to buy a car, and no longer being supported with a rental car, I, in my creative problem-solving mode, got to thinking that a GoFundMe might be the thing to do at this time. A couple of nights ago, when I was up in the middle of the night having anxiety about all of this, that came to mind as a solution. Then that morning, Priya said to me, "Mom, I think we need a GoFundMe, and that's nothing to be ashamed of." If that wasn't confirmation, I don't know what is.

We also just had a not-budgeted-for pet emergency that I had to pay for last week and also are struggling to meet our needs at this time. I know that this is just a hurdle, and that in the near future (August) things will not be as hard as they are right now. But right now, we could use some help and support, and though I don't like asking, I know that right now I need to.

I'm currently in talks with a couple who are selling their used, in great working condition, 2011 Honda Insight. They're getting it checked out by a mechanic on Monday to confirm that the hybrid battery is still in great working condition, so that I can have a reliable and economical car to get me through graduate school. They will sell it to me for $4,000 if everything passes with the mechanic.

I'm hoping to raise $6,000 to cover hopefully the cost of the above-mentioned car in the very near future, or another comparable one, as well as the initial costs for insurance, and DMV stuff. If things work out with the purchase of this car, the transaction wouldn't work out for them for probably another week. In the meantime, I'll need help with the upcoming transportation costs, and the other miscellaneous life costs that are very difficult for me to meet at this time.

If you are able to help in any way, that would mean a lot right now. Thank you for taking the time to read.

Kind regards,

Emily Bose