Hello everyone. I’m Brenda. After 6 years of illness, loss, and hardship, I’ve found myself sick, homeless, carless, broke and alone in an unfamiliar, unsafe place where I know no one. I've lost my income, my support system & my husband is gone who provided as was blind for the last 6 years. I’m doing everything I can to rebuild my life from the ground up, find safe housing for myself & my two dogs, and regain my health and stability. I remain positive & hopeful. Any prayers or assistance to get housing, medical care & stability are deeply appreciated and will be used with great care and gratitude.

Long version.....

Dearest friends and family,

I'm humbly coming to you today to do something very difficult—ask for help.

My need has outgrown my pride.

Since May, I’ve lost my home, my car, my income, and suffered a near-fatal car accident that left me with permanent damage.

I know life is hard for many of us, and I don’t think I’m a special story & I'm not entitled.

But I am a survivor of trauma & abuse & am working on healing now. I'm a very proud mom of five wonderful adult children who are just starting their own lives & new relationships. I do not wish to burden them. I’ve reached a point where I truly need help.

A Lifetime of Challenges

I feel like I started life in the negative and have spent my whole life fighting—for independence, self-worth, dignity, an identity, confidence, normalcy and for a better future.

Though life has beaten me down, I still have a strong faith, much gratitude, and hope.

I’m not a victim. I’m someone trying to rebuild after too many setbacks all at once.

Health and Hardship

Over the past six years, I’ve faced severe health issues caused by stress, which apparently does seem to kill. I had some situations that I just couldn't bear and they continued for the last 6 years. It took my health early on and I lost my eyesight leaving me very isolated & homebound. I had no one that would take me anywhere as I was moved far away from friends & family, to Texas, so had no support. I ended up with 2 autoimmune diseases. The inflammation from those, attacked my eyes (uveitis), leaving me blind for five years—two of those completely in the dark. That left me extremely isolated. It's very difficult to even leave the house now and makes me extremely anxious. I can now see, thank God, but only with a strong 45x magnifier. I need a crucial cornea transplant. Glasses won’t work because of severe scarring on top of my eyes. Recovery will take a full year.

High-dose steroid treatments, ulcers and reflux destroyed my teeth, leaving them brittle and crumbled with very little enamel. I need extensive dental work just to eat and speak comfortably again.

In addition to that, I deal with lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, arthritis, bulging and torn discs in low back, and pinched nerves in my neck. I feel bruised everywhere. My back is debilitating & I sometimes can barely walk, even though I'm very careful. I also have depression & anxiety along with PTSD.

My right wrist and hand were severely damaged & are almost useless from my recent car accident and the injury is permanent. I really wish I were healthy & functioning like a normal adult. Stress, trauma & abuse have taken a major toll, but I’m doing all I can to heal physically, mentally, and spiritually & become as healthy as I can possibly be. I WILL get there! Im sharing my health to explain why I'm not confident about working successfully, but I'm going to give it my best shot.

️Homelessness and Isolation

5 months ago, I became homeless. I had no choice but to move into a dilapidated, gutted-out, abandoned house—no flooring, no cabinets, boarded windows, no sinks, no shower, no stove, one outlet, a hose with cold water, and no insulation. It’s unsafe, especially at night. Also, winter is coming & it's cold inside. It's not very livable, but I've made it work. I say homeless because this isn't really a functioning place. It is a roof though so I'm grateful. The location isn't safe, as well, & I'm anxious to get out of here. It's exposed to outdoors and the floor is opened to beneath the house.

My two dogs are my constant companions and very much my emotional support.

They’ve given me comfort through all of this, and I cannot bear to lose them, wherever I end up. I need to make sure they’re cared for, too. They could definitely use a vet visit, shots & some maintenance.

My Goals and Immediate Needs

My top priority is to move back to Kansas City, where I have much support and access to medical care. I need a safe, affordable home that allows my two dogs.

I’m applying for housing and disability, but both take a few years, usually. I can hopefully find something temporary sooner & working with 211. I'm very worried about keeping my dogs, as they are family to me and so important. One is half blind like me & an anxious rescue who wouldn't do well elsewhere. I'm reaching out to all services to help myself. I will get accepted for food stamps which is $240/month (except government shut down) & I can use pantries. Until then, I need help to survive and relocate safely.

Here’s what I’m raising funds for:

Moving costs (U-Haul from Arkansas to KC.) help loading & unloading, fence setup, if need be: $1,400

Deposit & first month’s rent (plus fees & insurance): $2,300

Dental work (very bare minimum needed): $4,500

Used, reliable car for transportation: Around $6,000

Other necessities: Medications, chiropractor care, veterinary care, car insurance, and food.

Any extra funds will give me a small cushion while I wait for housing and disability approval.

My Work and Determination

I have no choice, but to try to work. I'm not confident that I will succeed because of my physical & mental health. I’ve always been a hard worker, though.

I worked in office management and later as a caregiver specializing in dementia care. I plan to return to caregiving, even though my body is fragile. It might not be sustainable—but I’ll give it everything I've got.

I was also working closely with different doctors, getting MRIs, x-rays, blood work, etc., and doing my best with nutrition, supplements, exercise & yoga. I’ve had to stop all medical temporarily, however, because I can no longer afford to pay someone to drive me.

Why I’m Asking for Help

This is not easy to write.

I’ve prayed over every big decision I’ve ever made in my life, and I’ve always tried to do the right thing & make good choices.

I’m choosing to reach out for help because I desperately want to live, get well, and rebuild my life. I want to be there for my children as a healthy, happy mom & be an example of strength & resilience.

Prayers & financial help right now would allow me to:

Secure a safe home,

care for my dogs,

begin crucial medical, dental & vision treatments & regain stability and independence.

That stability is the key to rebuilding my life.

❤️ With Gratitude

To everyone who reads my story—thank you from the bottom of my heart. And thank you for your time. I know life is hard for many of us. I am not bitter or broken.

I still believe all things work together for good, and I’m excited for this new chapter ahead.

Many good things are coming—I just need a little help to get there.

With sincere gratitude and love,

Brenda Persinger-Hayes