The cockroach's fault—fundraiser for Ba An Le

My story

My name is Ba An Le. I got into a car crash on Ooldea Road, about 2 hours from Maralinga, and 3 hours from Ceduna. I planned to be out here in South Australia, and Northern Territory to experience what it is like to live in the desert. This is part of my Master's thesis at the University of Technology Sydney, studying Master of Landscape Architecture.

Part of my documentation process includes filming the whole journey using a dashcam. It is by a series of miracles that I am sharing the video of what happened:

(WARNING! IT IS A VIDEO OF ME CRASHING AND IT IS NOT PRETTY)

the crash event (Instagram reel)

(WARNING! IT IS A VIDEO OF ME CRASHING AND IT IS NOT PRETTY)

2023-04-13, about 1910-1920, I was distracted by a cockroach on my top driver-side vehicle. I have been telling people it was a split second that I was distracted, but looking back, it was a lot more, maybe 3-5 seconds, I don't want to reimagine what happened, but this is it.

Events

1. My day began from 6:00 am packing till 4:30 pm when the tour finished

2. Once the tour finished I began driving back to Ceduna and crashed on the Bitumen 2 hours out of Maralinga, and 3 hours out from Ceduna.

**I was clearly tired, but was also rushing out to escape the oncoming rain... I don't know what happened to be honest.

Miracles

1. I crashed on a road where there are lots of truckies passing through every 15 minutes or so because the Iluka mines were nearby

2. There are trees beside the road and thankfully I didn't roll onto a section with a tree

3. When I rolled my roof racks had petrol and nothing exploded despite the risk of sparks

4. All the glass and objects in my car ejected outside, and it didn't ping pong inside my car

5. My seat belts worked

6. The airbags didn't go off (it would have been worse if it did happen!)

7. My car didn't collapse at all and puncture/pinched me

8. My only injuries were: right neck whiplash which is minor, a single chipped tooth which must've hit the steering wheel, minor abrasion

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Am I okay?

At the time of writing (2023-04-15), I am doing very well, better than you'd imagine. I'm still feeling stiffness in my neck, and still need to go to the dentist to check out my single chipped tooth.

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What is at stake?

To say "at stake," makes it sound more dire than necessary. But I love this language. As some know, I make art, jewellery, and currently study landscape architecture. I have great difficulties in asking for money because it is first and foremost an artistic journey. My life is about art. I have always described to people that art and jewellery was my second salvation. It is through artistic expression that the meaning of my life has continued to work through, and it is because of art that I have encountered many people, and had many experiences that I attribute to who I am.

I believe that the experience that has just occurred is a story that has value, and I want to continue pursuing this story to its completion for the long journey forward. For practical reasons, I am continuing because of my: (1) The need to finish my fieldwork in the desert for my Masters of Landscape Architecture, and (2) My art and Jewellery, of which I have exhibitions planned for 2023, and 2024.

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Why crowdfunding?

Personally, I am reluctant to ask for money because it is my value to live with what I have as a consequence of my actions. However, this time my actions have cost me a bit more than what I am comfortable with. People have been asking how they can help and I haven't been able to give them an answer because of my reluctance.

Today, one of my teachers suggested I make a crowdfunding page as a response to my reluctance. I asked on Instagram stories if it's something people would like me to do and if there is enough interest to make crowdfunding work—and there is.

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Why don't I just go home?

It is for moments like these that I live. Not that living in Sydney is dull. Only four days into my trip I survived an impossible crash, living to tell the story. As many of you know, I am Christian and believe in Jesus. I attribute meaning to all things, and I do wonder why I am alive, but I also know that there is meaning in everyday life. This is the path I've chosen to live in this moment.

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You are stupid (and its many variations of expression)

This is my projection talking. I didn't think the crash would happen the way it did and you are rightfully saying that I am stupid. It is what has happened. It was hard for me to watch the video believing that it was I, Ba An Le, who did that. I am stupid, and I can now tell other people to not do what I did.

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What are my plans?

I am determined to continue my journey through the desert. As of writing (2023-04-15), I am currently sitting in Ceduna Motor Inn. Leaving Adelaide Tuesday (2023-04-18) morning on the bus, arriving in Adelaide Tuesday evening, and from Wednesday (2023-04-19), I will be looking at buying a car as a first protocol before anything else.

After purchasing the car, I will look for the gear I need to continue my journey. While my itinerary has changed it is something like this: Woomera, Roxby Down, Coober Pedy, Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, and locations in between for which I need to do more research

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Why $5000?

To be honest, I did not know what value to ask for so the $5000 is nominal. My financial losses exceed $10, 000. I have also asked for advice on the right value but it is difficult to determine.

Any amount is going to be very helpful in achieving my goals for this journey. And you can also help by sharing on your socials.

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What will I use the money for?

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Counting the losses

My losses are above $10, 000. The value of the items, and subsequent costs as a result of the event (such as staying at a motel currently)

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Accountability

I believe in transparency regarding what I do with the money so I will keep you up-to-date with how it is used based on what is described in this listing. While I tried to keep things as detailed as I can, it is beyond me to project the total losses (which I've only outlined financially, not including physical/emotional/mental losses), and associated costs but I tried my best to do so with as much transparency and heart as I do.

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No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.

Ba An Le