Support Willow's Journey to Recovery

My name is Willow. I've experienced a lot of childhood trauma in my life from a young age. I've been in survival mode most of my life, fighting to stay alive and well. I have had a lot of psychiatric hospital stays throughout my life, mostly as a child due to trauma not being understood. Honestly, I came out worse than when I went in. I have severe CPTSD, creating many mental health symptoms I've been battling. I've been in intense outpatient therapy for 4 years, 4/5 times a week. I'm working really hard to heal. I have been fully invested in my healing journey without fault. I put in the hard work in and out of therapy. I meditate, I do online meetings, I am in groups, and my therapist is amazing. She's saved my life more times than I can count. After the traumatic death of my sister followed by my father's suicide last year, I've been struggling to get through every day. I'm in a deep process of grief and healing my childhood trauma all at the same time.

I've been looking for a trauma treatment facility that can address my needs, not just stabilize me for 3 days, dope me up on a bunch of meds, and send me out the door. I am self-aware enough to know when I need help beyond what I am receiving outpatient. Not that my outpatient services are not good, but I and my treatment team have decided I currently need more and I want more. I want to heal and live and not just survive. I have been seeking a place to go for years and have been denied by over 20 places because they do not accept insurance for treatment facilities. We found one in the entire United States that takes my insurance, and it's perfect for what I need. It is trauma-focused, patient-focused, healing-focused, and aligns with the treatment I am already in, which is important to not have me taking steps backward when I get out. This is something I am choosing to do, not being forced to do. I want to be better, and I finally found that place. It is 7 hours away. When I get accepted, I will only have two days to get there. I don't like asking for help, but we are a family of 8 on a fixed income with my disability, and figuring out how I can obtain the finances to get me and my support person there and back in a short time is nearly impossible. Every drop of income we have is spent on staying afloat in this economy.

I have set the goal high for these reasons. For flying option - Flights between weekdays and weekends vary - approx 450-550 for a round trip x2. One way tickets 205-250 x2. Rental car to get from airport to facility - approximately 30-40 dollars a day 2x.

Average on lowest cost 1500 for drop off and pick up.

Driving: rental car - 45 dollars per day approximately in total 150.00. Plus gas 80-100.00. Plus Airbnb for trip there and back 166.00 per night x2 Airbnb or hotel because my driver doesn't feel comfortable making a 14-hour drive by herself round trip.

Average lowest cost for driving/stay for drop off and pick up 1200.

I also need very specific items to take, some of which I do not have because of strict policies. Clothes and shoes with no strings or logos. Art/journal supplies for expressive therapy, very specific allowed things. Battery-operated razor to shave. Specific personal hygiene products.

I don't know the average of that. If say at least a few hundred. I will goodwill shop, minus shoes because shoes will be hard to find there.

For my community, friends, and family, my wife will be riding solo for 30-60 days approximately on her own. We don't just need support getting there and back; we need support from our community. Emotional support from our friends and family. Friends - extra playdates, and rides helping with the kids in their sports. Meals are welcome, not necessary but helpful, to relieve some of the weight off of my wife as our life as is, is already go go go with 6 kids and I'm the stay-at-home parent that plays the role in cooking while kids are run to sports and school events.

We need support from family coordinating support for my nephew we raise that has no living parents to go to. So my wife can have a break. As our other kids go to their other parents, and though she is strong and resilient, she will need to care for herself during this emotionally difficult time.

I am scared. I've never been away from my family, my support team, my friends. But I recognize a few months of uncomfortability will provide me a lifetime with those I love and need me here. This is my last hope. And my family needs whatever support you can offer.

Please, I desperately ask for you to help me save my life. I don't want to die. I want to keep helping myself and be better.

Thanks for your support. If you have any questions or prefer Venmo or Facebook Pay, we can provide those.

Love, Willow