Hi friends,

I was deeply moved by the loving sendoff I received as I emptied and left my Montreal nest with a hopeful heart and big dreams for Korea. The 17 hours of travel were emotional—reflecting, grieving, drafting notes of gratitude—never imagining that I’d arrive to something so devastating.

While I was packing out of Montreal, my family briefly stayed in the seaside Incheon apartment I had been living in—the place I was returning to live long-term, which was also clearly understood.

After that visit, my space and most of my belongings were removed, damaged, or significantly disturbed. Amongst the losses are my art (finished and in-progress), materials and supplies, clothing, live plants, my entire foraged herb collection used for workshops and herbalism practice, and even basic toiletries. I also found distressing and bewildering notes and marks on some personal photos. I have been continuously shocked by the extent of the disruption, including inside my closet and bedroom drawers. Similar dynamics have played out before, however, the scope of harm and disruption here is new, and my distress about it has again been dismissed.

One of my major projects while in Korea was the zine on the spiritual and protracted violence that is habitat destruction. This event has rendered the space no longer a safe or livable habitat for me.

I’m a longtime student of crisis and nervous system management, but this has pushed me to the edge of basic functioning. My immune system, sleep, digestion, nerves, and existing injuries and inflammation have all gone haywire. It’s been three weeks now of trying to regain footing and put this summary together, while making urgent decisions, cycling through grief, dejection, overwhelm, betrayal, and exhaustion.

Why I Need Help

I’m facing several urgent and costly paths forward, all requiring immediate funds just to land:

I’ve supported myself for years through grants, teaching, writing, and hands-on care work, while the bulk of my lifework have been unpaid and free community offerings—all rewarding, meaningful, but financially unstable labor. I had planned carefully for this relocation but with very slim margins. Those who attended my moving sale know that was also not a profit move—it was an intentional rehoming of priceless belongings to support a landing plan that no longer exists. I simply don’t have the financial buffer to absorb the sudden instability, loss of housing, work, materials, and property all at once.

***Direct, lossless contributions via Zelle, Venmo, PayPal (US), and e-transfer/bank transfer (Canada/Korea) are available and deeply appreciated—account infos below***

How Funds Will Be Used

Funds exceeding my goal would go towards:

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has already shown up for me!! Literally wouldn’t be here without you.

Times are tough and there’s an ocean of need already and I can’t pretend I’m any more urgent or worthy than anyone else. This is also the first time I’ve been so deeply at the mercy of network generosity. I’m trying to stay motivated to get through all this and back to the work yall seen and supported me all these years.

Beyond financial help, I’d also be deeply grateful for:

* Affirmation and encouragement regarding my work, projects, practice, etc. Life is hard enough without everything about you being repeatedly trashed

* Physical or virtual accompaniment as I get through dozens of exhausting, heartbreaking tasks

* Any housing leads in Seoul

* Any legal contacts

This is a neutralized, sanitized, and abbreviated version for safe public posting. Any offers to hold more of the story with me would mean more than I can say.

Thank you for reading and witnessing,

Lex

***Direct, lossless contributions are deeply appreciated***

Zelle, Paypal, Canadian e-transfer: [main gmail, please ask if needed]

Venmo: @yesleftknee

Korean bank transfer: [please contact for info]

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Context & FAQ

If it’s been so bad, why were you living in that apartment?

It wasn’t the original plan. But this otherwise unoccupied family apartment (lease held by father) was offered with a clear agreement that I’d be the primary occupant for the foreseeable future and contribute financially. After a year of repair with my mother—and long periods of no contact with family—it felt like a realistic and hopeful step. I moved in, built a home, and planned my life around being there.

When did this happen?

The apartment was occupied briefly by family in early November. During that time, I raised concerns about how family dynamics might be impacted, which were dismissed. I arrived back on December 1 to find the apartment in the condition described above.

Why involve legal help now?

I learned early not to seek accountability out of fear of retaliation. However the scope of the loss and disruption has made it necessary to document what occurred and to seek guidance on how to protect myself moving forward.

Can’t you just get a job and move?

I’m trying. I’m struggling with where is the most viable place to do that, which I know is a privilege in itself. The losses include artwork, specialized work materials, personal property accumulated over many years, and the sudden loss of housing and stability. Replacing these, while simultaneously relocating, job searching, and managing health impacts, exceeds what I can absorb alone right now.