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April 19th update: We still need help. I think we can make it if we can raise $200 while the state finishes up all of the paperwork required to help people in crisis. It's been a long brutal year, and we wouldn't still be alive without the incredible generosity of all who have helped our cause. With no money for an attorney, I have not been able to get help from the courts, which has allowed my spouse to illegally cancel my health insurance in December without a way for me to do anything but try to survive while I wait for the long process of getting medicaid in UT. Hopefully, this will finally go through in the next month. Unfortunately, I have held out as long as I can to avoid going to the ER, as I will likely have to stay in the hospital for a week to get stabilized. The idea of having to be away from my fur-kids for so long, expecially while they are also in need of special care, is agonizing. But this extended abusive divorce, long fight for survival, and lack of access to needed medication has finally left me incapable of being useful to those who depend on me and who I love most in the world. Please help us by sharing and/or donating any amount of $1 or more? While $200 won't cover all of the expenses, it will help me be able to pay for medication I need once I'm released from the hospital, and I'm hoping this terrifying trip will help me enough so that I can continue to do what's necessary to get us through this nightmare and finally start moving on. Thank you again to all of you who have offered, and continue to offer, any form of support. Love, gratitude, desparation, and hope <3
March 25th update: Due to difficulties with communication and Utah's inconsistent disability check deposit set-up (in addition to the fact that I haven't been able to find a job yet), I just learned we are facing yet another eviction, which will include my brother (and his kitty) who has been kind enough to let us live with him while I try to get back on my feet. We need an Easter/Passover/Humanitarian miracle to come up with at least $500 by April 1st to avoid ending up on the streets. Any donation of $1 or more, and/or sharing will help. If anyone knows of job opportunities, either independent contract/small jobs or regular jobs, please let me know?
Update March 5th: I wish I didn't have to put out another call for help, but the unexpected, and still increasing and unbelievable viciousness of this divorce, leaves me little choice. I need to file papers with the court in CA by Monday in order to avoid another delay. Unfortunately, because I had to leave the state, my fee waiver doesn't cover the costs of printing, mailing, or faxing any of the required paperwork. I need to raise about $40 to cover the cost of the minimum paperwork. I have other urgent expenses that I have no other way to come up with, including medical costs for myself and for all of my fur-kids--although, Manson is the sickest right now. I am trying to find work, in spite of my chaotic circumstances, but in the meantime, we really need to raise at least $200, although $400 would help us get through the month. Just 10 people with $40 donations would get us there. Please help by donating $1 or more and/or sharing with anyone who might be able/willing to help us?
I do not have the luxury my spouse does of having legal representation, and I have not been able to get any sort of real help from the organizations in CA that are supposed to be available. Now that I'm in UT, what little help was available is inaccessible to me. In addition, this forced relocation has left me without access to the much needed healthcare that CA provides its citizens who are struggling. Needless to say, I'm exhausted mentally and physically, as are my fur-kids. I was forced into a position where I had to fight an eviction case, and have been trying to do my own divorce case, keep up with all the paperwork that each of the relocations/displacements (caused by the way my spouse has chosen to handle this divorce) create in order to get any sort of emergency financial/medical assistance and the long application process for even temporary SSI/disability I need so that I can get back on my feet and take care of my family, along with all of the setbacks and calls for help I've had to send out (so much love and gratitude to everyone who has helped in a variety of ways to get us this far!), in addition to applying for a number of jobs with no luck so far, and finally returning to Utah where I am surrounded by relatives who could help, only to find that, for reasons unkown to me, I have evidently been excommunicated, abandoned and left for dead.
I have tried to keep as many of the personal and negative details of this assault on me and my fur-kids--my babies, who used to be our babies--out of the public as much as possible, but my attempt to be a decent human being under horrifying conditions has turned out to be detrimental as that, combined with my spouse's very successful public and private manipulation tactics to assasinate my character, has caused massively false beliefs about what's really been going on over the past year. I will try to find time to put up a FB page, or other link, where I can offer an explanation to those who have questions, and those who know there are always at least two sides to every story, and who have heard his side but have not heard mine and would like to.
Here's a very abbreviated version of a few things I've been through:
Instead of the inexpensive, quick, and civil divorce plans Paul and I had agreed to, Paul found a sponsor (his now fiancee) to retain a very expensive, effective shark of an attorney. Instead of a collaborative approach, or the previously agreed upon spousal and fur-kid support to help us get through the divorce (Paul is perfectly aware of my limitations for working, and that it would take time for me to find something I could do), and claims of wanting to be able to stay friends even though our marriage didn't work out, he cut off every possible financial resource he could legally get away with, and his lawyer has found ways to help him get around certain other legal obligations, which put me in a position where, at Paul's demand, after refusing for months to help me get out of the unreasonably expensive apartment he chose, I had taken in a roommate, who turned out to be awesome, but also gave Paul ammunition to skew the picture. Paul's refusal to help me find a less expensive place to live when I initally asked for a trial separation in hopes of saving our marriage (I thought), which was around the same time our lease on the apartment was up and it made sense for us both to find somewhere less expensive, and his eventual cutting off financial resources, and lying about being willing to pay rent last April, forced me into a position where I had to fight an eviction case. I have been trying to do my own divorce case, keep up with all the paperwork that each of the relocations/displacements (caused by the way my spouse has chosen to handle this divorce) create in order to get any sort of emergency financial/medical assistance and the long application process for even temporary SSI/disability I need so that I can get back on my feet and take care of my family, along with all of the setbacks and calls for help I've had to send out (so much love and gratitude to everyone who has helped in a variety of ways to get us this far!), in addition to applying for a number of jobs with no luck so far, and finally returning to Utah where I am surrounded by relatives who could help, only to find that, for reasons unkown to me, I have evidently been excommunicated, abandoned and left for dead. I am still fighting to keep my fur-kids--my babies-- safe and with me. I have a long list of people--many of whom I've either only met through FB, or have no idea who they are--to thank for saving our lives. I've been fighting this series of unnecessary and cruel battles under conditions of malnurishment and lack of sufficient medication for months now, and my special-needs babies are also struggling as I cannot afford their prescription food. As someone who spent 15 years doing various forms of volunteer work for ferret rescues/shelters, I have seen too many cases where, for whatever reason, people give up their furry family members after years of bonding, and those little ones ending up dying. I also know my own special-needs babies--my youngest is 13--and all of the loss they have already been through, to know that if I give them up, they won't survive. Those who know me, know that these little ones are my children--they are not just pets. Had I been willing to give them up when things got hard, I could have stayed in CA and in certain ways, my own life would have been much easier to get back under control; however, it would not be worth living in that case. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure they are ok, and they are always in the presence of love, even if the standards of living are not up to my preferred exceptionally high ones. I have sold and pawned everything I could bring with me, which isn't much. I have been living out of a carryon-sized suitcase with very limited clothing options since I had to leave the Bay Area in August--at that time I was doing everything I could to accept a truly crummy settlement in order get the divorce overwith and thought I would be able to get what was left of my belongings out of storage after a month, but that fell through. Not having access to my decent clothes, or to my academic research/student evals, makes applying for and going to job interviews tricky. I have not been able to afford a haircut for over 2 years, and since I moved in with my brother in January, I have not had access to a shower with any warm water. I haven't had access to medical care of any kind (unless I want to go to the ER, which takes me away from caring for my babies and my brother, and it prevents me from working on the mountains of paperwork I need to finish to get any kind of help, including making sure my hearing doesn't get delayed again--but I am about out of options). None of this is conducive to being presentable for job interviews, nor is it conducive to the kind of physical and mental state one needs to be in in order to even really look for a job. This is the short list of some of the things me and my babies have been through over the last year. I am running on fumes, and need any help I can get. So much love and gratitude to all those who have helped us get this far, and those who check in on us to see how we are...that means a lot even if it doesn't pay the bills <3 I am sorry that I haven't been able to bring this terrifying situation to an end, and I have to resort to asking for more help. It's not for lack of trying, and it is not because I am being greedy or unreasonable with the divorce settlement attempts, despite what the rumors are. For the record, I did everything I could back in October to get the legal paperwork done in order to accept a $10,000 settlement--that's not even one year's worth of the six years of spousal support I am entitled to under CA law. I am not the one who prevented that settlement from going through. This hardly captures all that we have endured, but I hope it offers anyone who's interested some insight and understanding.
Love, gratitude, and hope from me and my babies <3
2nd update Feb 10th: my phone just died. I need to be able to get an inexpensive one for my own safety, so that my brother can reach me, along with doctors and others who need to get a hold of me. please share and/or donate any amount of $1 or more to help with this latest in unexpected expenses?
Update Feb 10th: Sending out another call for help. We are continuing to face more setbacks due to the most recent delay in the divorce hearing, which moved the date from Jan to March, (the original hearing was scheduled for July 29th last year) My brother, who provided us with a safe place to stay, has been hospitalized for a variety of physical and mental health problems, in part due to the fact that he could not afford to pay to see his doctors or refill his medication, even though he is on disability and has Medicare coverage. Unfortunately, Utah is just another state that fails to provide sufficient assistance in this arena. I am quickly running out of time before I end up in the hospital because I can't afford to pay for the discounted county medical services or the medication I would need. There is a much longer list of things I need to raise money for, but for now, please help me raise enough money to make sure I can get into a local doctor and pay for my own medication, in addition to being able to cover the cost of my brother's medication when he gets out of the hospital? Sharing and/or donating $1 or more will really help us. I need to raise no less than $500 fast. Other ideas are always welcome. If anyone can help with car repairs, vet care, CA legal representation for this unnecessarily long and cruel divorce that started this whole mess, or even a haircut, it will be very much appreciated. Continued love and gratitude to all who have been there for us during this ongoing nightmare <3
Update Jan 15th: Today's fundraising goal: $25. I need to get a Utah driver's license in order to be able to do a number of basic things. For example, I won't be able to pick up my medications, if by some miracle, I can raise the money to get them. Please help by sharing, and by donations of $1 or more, if you can? Love and gratitude from me and mine <3
Update Jan 14th: For those who don't know, I was informed a couple of days ago that the divorce status hearing scheduled for tomorrow, the 15th, was rescheduled for late March, along with any forward progress that might have been made with the help of the court. I'll continue to try to work with my spouse's attorney to try to come to an out of court settlement, but once again I have a longer road with more unexpected obstacles to getting my life back on track. Please continue to share and/or donate any amount of $1 or more? I need to try to raise a minimum of $1500 for this month alone in order to pay for medication to keep me out of the hospital, food for me and the cats/ferrets (my babies), gas, and rent on the storage unit in CA that holds items I could sell along with my piano, clothes, 20 years of research and teaching materials, and primarily irreplaceable items of no financial value. I'm hoping to work out a way to get the contents moved out here in Utah. Love and gratitude to all who have shared, donated, and offered moral support throughout this nearly year-long fight for our lives. Please keep the help coming?! <3
Jan 10th: Dear all,
I only have enough money for food to last another day or two, with nothing left over for the few bills I still have to pay or to pay to file paperwork with the court. Please share, and consider donating $1 or more?
Jan 9th: Yesterday's eviction crisis was averted at the last minute thanks to the generosity of the property magager, who I was finally able to get in touch with very late in the day, and I was able to explain the problem. She gave my brother a one-time exception. We are all very grateful to have a safe place to be, and we're hoping there are no more additional crises.
Jan 8th: Today's crisis: We are on the verge of another eviction due to an unexpected change in date of payment for my brother's disability that went into effect for the New Year. We have to raise $750 before tomorrow. Steven will get paid on Wednesday, and we would be happy to pay anyone who can lend us this amount (or parts of this amount) on that day. Please share and help in any way possible? Love and gratitude <3
Update Jan 7th: Ninja Princess Livy's 13th birthday is tomorrow. Please continue sharing, and consider donating $1 or more to help us continue to stay safe and together? All donations today and tomorrow will be in honor of my youngest cat, whom I rescued from the streets of SLC when she caught my eye while I was working on my still-unfinished dissertation at a coffee-shop with a friend. I can't believe my baby is going to be 13! Please help us celebrate during this difficult time. As always, lots of love and gratitude to all who have helped us get this far with various forms of support <3
Update Jan 6th: Thank you to all who made it possible for us to make the trip to Utah so that we would have a place to live--thanks to my brother for that! We still need help. Having to change states has once again left us without any source of income, until we can get any help from the state. Due to a number of complications, I am once again without health insurance coverage, and any policy I can get for this month will have high deductibles and probably won't cover my most needed medication, without coverage is approximately $1200 per month, and without which, I will end up in the hospital. The status hearing for my divorce is in CA on the 15th. It would be ideal if we could raise enough money for me to go out there to appear in person, and then rent a moving truck to bring what's left in the storage units out here. Of course, any donations will go to food and medication first. And donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to get back on my feet, but all of the relocations alone continue to bring more problems in terms of getting any stability. Love and gratitude to those of you who have continued to follow our long downward spiral, and those who have helped us in so many ways so that we're still safe and together. <3
Update Dec 24th: Lots of love and gratitude for the donation that came in yesterday! We've got 2 days left to raise $350. We just need 10 people to donate $35. Any amount is appreciated. We wish you all a happy holiday season.
Update Dec 23rd:
We are all so grateful for a couple of surprise donations to help us make our move to Utah where I can make sure my brother is taken care of, and vice versa. We are still trying to raise $400 before we leave Saturday. Are there 10 people who can spare $40? Or 40 people who can spare $10? Any amount will be helpful and appreciated! Other forms of support are also appreciated. We're going to need all the luck, good energy, prayers/prayer equivalents for my car to get us there safely. Thank you to all of you who have helped us make it this far. We wish you a happy holiday season <3
Update Dec 16th: After being subjected to another round of threats and intimidation from my (unfortunately still) husband, and without any help in sight, I was feeling pretty helpless and hopeless this morning. However, I owe enormous gratitude to the anonymous donor who broke our fundraising slump this morning! We can still use all the help we can get, so please continue to share, and if you can afford a holiday donation of $1 or more, every bit helps! Thank you and happy holidays from me, Manson, Margot, Olivia, Zooey, and Lord Byron <3
Update Dec 15th: Please help us break our slump? My brother was released from the hospital yesterday, and I need to get back to Utah asap to make sure he is ok. I still need to raise at least $400 by the 26th, if not sooner, to do what I can with my car to try to make sure we make it there safely. Any donation amount helps, as does sharing this campaign. If anyone is in the bay area and can help me get at least some of my things out of my storage unit and out to Utah between now and January, please let me know? Other suggestions are welcome. Love and gratitude to those who have continued to help us in this unexpectedly long endeavor <3
Update Dec 12: We are in a fundraising slump. I need to raise $400 by the 26th in order to keep a roof over our heads. Please help us by sharing and/or donating any amount you can spare? Love and gratitude to all of you who continue to help in so many ways <3
Update Dec 9: My brother has been hospitalized again in Utah. Please help me raise enough to get back to my home-state with my babies or bring him to CA where healthcare is better funded, and I can make sure he gets the care he needs. Please share with everyone/group you can think of, donate any amount if you are able to, and any other offers of help with housing, moving .or any other ideas are welcome. I'll aim for a more specific minimum amount, but it will take at least $1000. Love and gratitude...praying I don't lose my other half <3
Update Dec 7: Once again, I need help raising at least $1000 in 20 days or less. In addition to my own health problems, my brother's is also in rapid decline since he was released from the hospital. Please help me raise enough money to either go back to Utah, or bring him out this way? Any donation amount will help, and/or please continue to share.
Update Dec 2: Thank you to another surprise donation last night which will help me keep my phone on, food in the "house"--I'm hoping to qualify for emergency food assistancce to help--as well as go towards the medication I need refilled on the 11th. I don't know what I'd do without the incredible generosity from so many people I've never met, and the handful of those I have. Please keep help coming? Any donation amount helps, and sharing helps too. I'm in the process of trying to get disability, but that is taking longer than I have to make sure we're ok, so I'm trying to find work of some sort. My car still needs to be registered, and other bills continue to add up. I'm trying to stay in the area at least until the next divorce status conference on Jan 15th. Our future is incredibly uncertain, and I know times are even tighter with the holidays fast approaching. Thanks to all who have helped us get this far! I wish I didn't still have to ask for more help, but I do. Love and gratitude to all <3
Update Nov 27th: Thank you to those who helped us reach our needed rent amount! We still have a long way to go, and we may need to go to Utah to stay with my brother. Regardless, we still need money for food for us and the kitties, and the phone bill is coming up. I still need to raise $445 to get my car registered, among other costs. I'm looking for work I can do, but my health and pain are getting to the point where I can barely move. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated! Love and gratitude from us <3
Update Nov 20th: We are still $300 short for rent this month, which is due in 6 days. Please help me reach this goal and keep a roof over our heads? Love and gratitude from all of us <3
Update Nov 18th: Love and gratitude to those who have helped me raise 1/2 of this month's goal <3 More emergencies have come up. We still need a lot of help. Please continue to share this, and consider making any donation amount: $1, $5, $10 adds up quickly.
My brother was taken to the hospital yesterday when our mom found him in a state of severe dehydration, malnutrition, and going in and out of hallucinatatory states in his apartment. He is in critical care right now, and they haven't figured out what's wrong. None of us realized his phone was also on the contract Paul was paying for until it ended, so Steven had no way to contact me or our mom when he started to feel himself getting into a scary place. I don't know if it's possible, but I really want to get up to Utah to see him. I've lost too many humans in the past couple of years who I never got to see or say goodbye to. Steven is my other half. Hopefully he wil pull through this. It is unconsciounable that he didn't receive any warning message from Paul to let him know he would need to change phone service. Paul is quite aware of Steven's battles over the years, and when I requested assistance in keeping my phone number for reasons like this, he had his lawyer respond with a snarky message, and no help nor a reminder re Steven's phone was offered.
In addition, Margot's health has reached a level where lack of vet care is no longer an option. Margot is the only one of our cats brought to our family by Paul. Manson's health is also quite poor, and needs to get help as soon as possible. Had I not been forced out of the Bay Area, we would at least have access to the excellent vets who know and love my babies, and who have donated there time and services in the past.
Love and all good things to all of you who continue to help in any way you are able to, and to those of you who are new. We couldn't have made it this far without you all! Jan 15th is the next court date we're trying to survive long enough to make it to. In addition to everything else, I've got to find time to prepare for this hearing, which means a lot of legal research and forms to fill out. Much love and gratitude again from all of us here in Barstow (nowhereland), CA.
Update Nov 11 2015 (Veteran's Day): Please consider making a Veteran's Day donation in honor of my father, Lynn Harris, who sacrificed everything because he served our country when he was drafted for Vietnam just 2 weeks after my parents were married. If I can get enough FB friends and Twitter followers to make donations in the $1, $5, and $10 range, we'll be able to get access to other resources to help bring in money by other methods. I'm trying to raise $2000 this month to cover regular expenses in addition to a handful of extra ones. There are, obviously, other ways to donate if this particular one doesn't work for your situation. I am also tyring to find work I can do, given my severe limitations.
My dad was not a war enthusiast, but he believed in the ideals of our country and in his duty to serve when he was called. If those who were so eager to send him off to war had been half as concerned with his life after he returned so that he had been made aware that he was exposed to Agent Orange and what to look out for, he may not have had to sacrifice his life, and my family may not have been destroyed. We were lucky he lived 28 years after he came home, but his delayed death was still due to his service, and the rest of us continue to suffer the consequences, like so many other families. We have lost everything, and in this unbelievable time of need, there is no help from the government--unless I'm missing something. If so, please let me know?
Below is a more detailed account of what's been going on.
This month has been full of even more expenses than anticipated. We are so grateful to those who have helped us survive this long, and I wish I didn't have to ask for more help. Without the incredible generosity of a couple of suprise donors, I wouldn't have had money to pay rent, buy food for me and the babies, or get my medication for last month. These donations also made it possible for me to get my phone working, as well as be able to buy groceries this week.
I need to come up with a minimum of $400 by the 26th in order to prevent the storage unit from auctioning everything I have left. In addition to cutting off my phone this month, Paul is refusing to pay for the other storage unit that has a number of important items. I'm not yet sure how much it will cost to try to save that one. However, if I can at least save what's in the main one, and get to it, I will be able to sell what I don't need, or offer it to those who donate. If I could get my piano and find a new place to live closer to the LA area, it would also allow for many opportunities for me to make money given my limitations. Either way, I'll need to come up with a minimum of $600 by the 26th for another month's rent here. My car's registration is now past due, and I need to raise $445 to take care of that. Then there's the matter of desperately needed vet care for my babies, which I'm trying to find places to help for low or no cost. But they are special needs cats, and many of their health issues go far beyond basic care. My own health is suffering worse than ever, which makes doing anything almost impossible. I am resorting to taking less medication than I'm supposed to in order to keep the monthly cost around $200. I am doing everything I can to find work that I can do, but the limitations are increasing and the options are decreasing.
Last month I had to deal with the surprise of losing $500 a month in assistance due to complications from this never-ending vengeance-driven divorce, the failure of the Oakland office to keep my assistance in place, like they assured me would continue, until my case was transferred to this county--which they also failed to do, so there was no smooth transition. Even worse, because of the differences in requirements between counties in order to qualify for emergency government assistence in this deserted place I've had to move to, I can't qualify for any help--not even for emergency food stamps. So, I've been playing catch-up with all of the expected bills, just in time for all of the additional urgent unexpected expenses that hit this month.
Update Nov 4 2015: Please keep help coming. I need to come up with money for medication, and other necessities to keep me out of the hospital. I'm trying to find any work I can do in the meantime. Love and gratitude to all <3
Update Oct 29 2015: Thank you to those who made it possible for me to pay rent and get some food! We still need help. I just learned via email from his attorney, Paul is stopping payments on my phone. This is the latest in ways to impose limitations and increase hardship and suffering for me and the furkids he promised to provide a forever home with love and needed medical care for when we adopted them.
So, in addition to everything else, I need to raise enough money to pay for my phone, and register my car. Please share, and any donation amount of $1 or more helps. Love and gratitude to all who have and continue to offer 7yeiowxz;'kl?M<all forms of support.
Update Oct 20.2015: Originally, I set this campaign up at the end of April when we thought we only had to make it until the first temp spousal support hearing scheduled forJuly 29th. The number of setbacks has taken a toll on everybody's health, and now all of us may lose our lives, as it looks like the divorce is going to have to continue until the status conference on Jan 15th. Crisis levels are at an all time high. will update more specific details today, if I can, but for now, my own life is in danger. I'm trying to get my body to hold out and find a way to improve our conditions while waiting for next court date on Jan 15. please help me and my babies by sharing, and/or donations $1+, other ideas welcome.
Update Oct 5.2015: Another plea for help.... The small amount I was receiving monthly from GA ($300) and food stamps ($200) has been terminated without warning, in spite of my effort to keep them informed as required about my circumstances. I needed most of the GA money for my co-pay on absolutely necessary medication in order to avoid a trip to the hospital ER, among other likely terrifying consequences. Manson and Margot are continuing to lose weight, but I cannot afford to pay for the prescription food they need, let alone get them in to see a vet. We are trying to finalize the divorce by Oct 9th, which will provide some much needed relief. However, I cannot go without my medication and accomplish what has to be done in time. Please consider donating any amount from $1 on up, and share this with anyone who might be able/willing to help. Love and gratitude to all who have, and continue to help us in so many ways <3
Update: The divorce process is still unresolved, although we are trying to come to a settlement by Oct 9th. We had to abandon most of my belongings when we had to leave our home. Thanks to so many of you for helping us get this far. We lucked out and found a relatively inexpensive residential hotel we could all stay in, but we're now in Barstow, CA--out in the middle of nowhere. Because the divorce process has been dragged out, for a number of reasons, we don't have enough money to cover next month's rent, $600, which is due on the 27th of September. I won't have enough to pay for my own prescription medication either, let alone the prescription food that Manson needs. I'm going to make a day trip tomorrow (the 19th) to LA to try to sell my engagment ring and wedding band as these are the only items I have with me that I can sell or pawn. There is also a possibility for temp work out there next week. We are doing everything we can, but we still really need more help fast.
Other Updates: Continued call for more help to save my sweet blind baby, Manson. His weight has dropped to 4lbs from 7.6lbs when I had to run him in to the vet August 11th. And that was down from 8.4lbs when I had to run him in last December. I need your help, if you have any ability to donate for vet care. He needs his prescription food at the very least, which is $70 per month. My cats are my children. I'm sorry I have to keep asking for help. I'm so grateful for all the support--donations, love, moral support, and other ways people have reached out to do what they can. I'll be happy to give any of my material possessions for donations, if I have anything you want.
Recent Updates and more about us below:
Thank you so much to those of you who came out to help us save what we could!
We have to relocate by August 24th, and don't yet have enough for a place to stay, or to even rent a truck to move a few things. My first hearing for temporary spousal support was originally set for July 29th, but ended up being rescheduled for September 8th. So, this is creating extra financial, emotional, and physical problems that were unticipated when I started this campaign.
Manson's basic urgent care costs were able to be taken care of thanks to the donations to this campaign and that of the vet who saw him, but he would benefit if we could pay for more vet care. For now, he's holding steady, but his urgent care set us back, and we need to ask for even more help.
More about me and my situation:
My name is Angie Harris, and I am asking for help so that I can keep my fur-kids--my babies (3 black cats)--together and with me in a safe place. After 12 years, my marriage is ending in divorce, which has put us in a very unexpected and desperate set of circumstances. Due to multiple disabilities, I haven't been able to finish my P.h.D degree in Philosophy, or find another form of gainful employment, which has led me to be financially dependent on my soon-to-be-ex-husband for at least 10 years. To make matters worse, we are in the process of being evicted. I've been able to get approved for Emergency Food Stamps, but they don't cover food for my furry family. Two of my cats, Manson (12) and Margot (11), were adopted as "special needs" cats, and require prescription cat food and medication. I rescued Olivia (10) from the streets of SLC, and she has developed stress-induced recurring problems with her eye. With proper care and medicine, she will be ok. Without it, she will most likely lose her eye. When we adopted these precious fur-kids, we promised to give them a forever home and the extra care they would need. Please help me live up to my part of that promise.
We are trying to stay in California while I go through the divorce proceedings. I am currently without representation, which leaves us vulnerable. I was finally approved for General Assistance, and I am also seeking Disability benefits here, and moving out of state would require me to start the already too-long process over. If we can raise enough money for somewhere to stay, and to take care of the everyday and medical costs my babies and I have, then I'll use the rest of the money to retain an attorney to fight for us.
Regardless, we have to relocate by August 23rd, and don't yet have anough for a place to stay, or to even rent a truck to move a few things. My first hearing for temporary spousal support was originally set for July 29th, but ended up being rescheduled for September 8th. So, this is creating extra financial, emotional, and physical problems that were unticipated when I started this campaign.
Please help me keep my family together and off the streets? Any donation amount will help us survive this terrifying situation and allow me to get back on my feet. We can only offer our gratitude and love in return for now.
March 25th update: Due to difficulties with communication and Utah's inconsistent disability check deposit set-up (in addition to the fact that I haven't been able to find a job yet), I just learned we are facing yet another eviction, which will include my brother (and his kitty) who has been kind enough to let us live with him while I try to get back on my feet. We need an Easter/Passover/Humanitarian miracle to come up with at least $500 by April 1st to avoid ending up on the streets. Any donation of $1 or more, and/or sharing will help. If anyone knows of job opportunities, either independent contract/small jobs or regular jobs, please let me know?
Update March 5th: I wish I didn't have to put out another call for help, but the unexpected, and still increasing and unbelievable viciousness of this divorce, leaves me little choice. I need to file papers with the court in CA by Monday in order to avoid another delay. Unfortunately, because I had to leave the state, my fee waiver doesn't cover the costs of printing, mailing, or faxing any of the required paperwork. I need to raise about $40 to cover the cost of the minimum paperwork. I have other urgent expenses that I have no other way to come up with, including medical costs for myself and for all of my fur-kids--although, Manson is the sickest right now. I am trying to find work, in spite of my chaotic circumstances, but in the meantime, we really need to raise at least $200, although $400 would help us get through the month. Just 10 people with $40 donations would get us there. Please help by donating $1 or more and/or sharing with anyone who might be able/willing to help us?
I do not have the luxury my spouse does of having legal representation, and I have not been able to get any sort of real help from the organizations in CA that are supposed to be available. Now that I'm in UT, what little help was available is inaccessible to me. In addition, this forced relocation has left me without access to the much needed healthcare that CA provides its citizens who are struggling. Needless to say, I'm exhausted mentally and physically, as are my fur-kids. I was forced into a position where I had to fight an eviction case, and have been trying to do my own divorce case, keep up with all the paperwork that each of the relocations/displacements (caused by the way my spouse has chosen to handle this divorce) create in order to get any sort of emergency financial/medical assistance and the long application process for even temporary SSI/disability I need so that I can get back on my feet and take care of my family, along with all of the setbacks and calls for help I've had to send out (so much love and gratitude to everyone who has helped in a variety of ways to get us this far!), in addition to applying for a number of jobs with no luck so far, and finally returning to Utah where I am surrounded by relatives who could help, only to find that, for reasons unkown to me, I have evidently been excommunicated, abandoned and left for dead.
I have tried to keep as many of the personal and negative details of this assault on me and my fur-kids--my babies, who used to be our babies--out of the public as much as possible, but my attempt to be a decent human being under horrifying conditions has turned out to be detrimental as that, combined with my spouse's very successful public and private manipulation tactics to assasinate my character, has caused massively false beliefs about what's really been going on over the past year. I will try to find time to put up a FB page, or other link, where I can offer an explanation to those who have questions, and those who know there are always at least two sides to every story, and who have heard his side but have not heard mine and would like to.
Here's a very abbreviated version of a few things I've been through:
Instead of the inexpensive, quick, and civil divorce plans Paul and I had agreed to, Paul found a sponsor (his now fiancee) to retain a very expensive, effective shark of an attorney. Instead of a collaborative approach, or the previously agreed upon spousal and fur-kid support to help us get through the divorce (Paul is perfectly aware of my limitations for working, and that it would take time for me to find something I could do), and claims of wanting to be able to stay friends even though our marriage didn't work out, he cut off every possible financial resource he could legally get away with, and his lawyer has found ways to help him get around certain other legal obligations, which put me in a position where, at Paul's demand, after refusing for months to help me get out of the unreasonably expensive apartment he chose, I had taken in a roommate, who turned out to be awesome, but also gave Paul ammunition to skew the picture. Paul's refusal to help me find a less expensive place to live when I initally asked for a trial separation in hopes of saving our marriage (I thought), which was around the same time our lease on the apartment was up and it made sense for us both to find somewhere less expensive, and his eventual cutting off financial resources, and lying about being willing to pay rent last April, forced me into a position where I had to fight an eviction case. I have been trying to do my own divorce case, keep up with all the paperwork that each of the relocations/displacements (caused by the way my spouse has chosen to handle this divorce) create in order to get any sort of emergency financial/medical assistance and the long application process for even temporary SSI/disability I need so that I can get back on my feet and take care of my family, along with all of the setbacks and calls for help I've had to send out (so much love and gratitude to everyone who has helped in a variety of ways to get us this far!), in addition to applying for a number of jobs with no luck so far, and finally returning to Utah where I am surrounded by relatives who could help, only to find that, for reasons unkown to me, I have evidently been excommunicated, abandoned and left for dead. I am still fighting to keep my fur-kids--my babies-- safe and with me. I have a long list of people--many of whom I've either only met through FB, or have no idea who they are--to thank for saving our lives. I've been fighting this series of unnecessary and cruel battles under conditions of malnurishment and lack of sufficient medication for months now, and my special-needs babies are also struggling as I cannot afford their prescription food. As someone who spent 15 years doing various forms of volunteer work for ferret rescues/shelters, I have seen too many cases where, for whatever reason, people give up their furry family members after years of bonding, and those little ones ending up dying. I also know my own special-needs babies--my youngest is 13--and all of the loss they have already been through, to know that if I give them up, they won't survive. Those who know me, know that these little ones are my children--they are not just pets. Had I been willing to give them up when things got hard, I could have stayed in CA and in certain ways, my own life would have been much easier to get back under control; however, it would not be worth living in that case. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure they are ok, and they are always in the presence of love, even if the standards of living are not up to my preferred exceptionally high ones. I have sold and pawned everything I could bring with me, which isn't much. I have been living out of a carryon-sized suitcase with very limited clothing options since I had to leave the Bay Area in August--at that time I was doing everything I could to accept a truly crummy settlement in order get the divorce overwith and thought I would be able to get what was left of my belongings out of storage after a month, but that fell through. Not having access to my decent clothes, or to my academic research/student evals, makes applying for and going to job interviews tricky. I have not been able to afford a haircut for over 2 years, and since I moved in with my brother in January, I have not had access to a shower with any warm water. I haven't had access to medical care of any kind (unless I want to go to the ER, which takes me away from caring for my babies and my brother, and it prevents me from working on the mountains of paperwork I need to finish to get any kind of help, including making sure my hearing doesn't get delayed again--but I am about out of options). None of this is conducive to being presentable for job interviews, nor is it conducive to the kind of physical and mental state one needs to be in in order to even really look for a job. This is the short list of some of the things me and my babies have been through over the last year. I am running on fumes, and need any help I can get. So much love and gratitude to all those who have helped us get this far, and those who check in on us to see how we are...that means a lot even if it doesn't pay the bills <3 I am sorry that I haven't been able to bring this terrifying situation to an end, and I have to resort to asking for more help. It's not for lack of trying, and it is not because I am being greedy or unreasonable with the divorce settlement attempts, despite what the rumors are. For the record, I did everything I could back in October to get the legal paperwork done in order to accept a $10,000 settlement--that's not even one year's worth of the six years of spousal support I am entitled to under CA law. I am not the one who prevented that settlement from going through. This hardly captures all that we have endured, but I hope it offers anyone who's interested some insight and understanding.
Love, gratitude, and hope from me and my babies <3
2nd update Feb 10th: my phone just died. I need to be able to get an inexpensive one for my own safety, so that my brother can reach me, along with doctors and others who need to get a hold of me. please share and/or donate any amount of $1 or more to help with this latest in unexpected expenses?
Update Feb 10th: Sending out another call for help. We are continuing to face more setbacks due to the most recent delay in the divorce hearing, which moved the date from Jan to March, (the original hearing was scheduled for July 29th last year) My brother, who provided us with a safe place to stay, has been hospitalized for a variety of physical and mental health problems, in part due to the fact that he could not afford to pay to see his doctors or refill his medication, even though he is on disability and has Medicare coverage. Unfortunately, Utah is just another state that fails to provide sufficient assistance in this arena. I am quickly running out of time before I end up in the hospital because I can't afford to pay for the discounted county medical services or the medication I would need. There is a much longer list of things I need to raise money for, but for now, please help me raise enough money to make sure I can get into a local doctor and pay for my own medication, in addition to being able to cover the cost of my brother's medication when he gets out of the hospital? Sharing and/or donating $1 or more will really help us. I need to raise no less than $500 fast. Other ideas are always welcome. If anyone can help with car repairs, vet care, CA legal representation for this unnecessarily long and cruel divorce that started this whole mess, or even a haircut, it will be very much appreciated. Continued love and gratitude to all who have been there for us during this ongoing nightmare <3
Update Jan 15th: Today's fundraising goal: $25. I need to get a Utah driver's license in order to be able to do a number of basic things. For example, I won't be able to pick up my medications, if by some miracle, I can raise the money to get them. Please help by sharing, and by donations of $1 or more, if you can? Love and gratitude from me and mine <3
Update Jan 14th: For those who don't know, I was informed a couple of days ago that the divorce status hearing scheduled for tomorrow, the 15th, was rescheduled for late March, along with any forward progress that might have been made with the help of the court. I'll continue to try to work with my spouse's attorney to try to come to an out of court settlement, but once again I have a longer road with more unexpected obstacles to getting my life back on track. Please continue to share and/or donate any amount of $1 or more? I need to try to raise a minimum of $1500 for this month alone in order to pay for medication to keep me out of the hospital, food for me and the cats/ferrets (my babies), gas, and rent on the storage unit in CA that holds items I could sell along with my piano, clothes, 20 years of research and teaching materials, and primarily irreplaceable items of no financial value. I'm hoping to work out a way to get the contents moved out here in Utah. Love and gratitude to all who have shared, donated, and offered moral support throughout this nearly year-long fight for our lives. Please keep the help coming?! <3
Jan 10th: Dear all,
I only have enough money for food to last another day or two, with nothing left over for the few bills I still have to pay or to pay to file paperwork with the court. Please share, and consider donating $1 or more?
Jan 9th: Yesterday's eviction crisis was averted at the last minute thanks to the generosity of the property magager, who I was finally able to get in touch with very late in the day, and I was able to explain the problem. She gave my brother a one-time exception. We are all very grateful to have a safe place to be, and we're hoping there are no more additional crises.
Jan 8th: Today's crisis: We are on the verge of another eviction due to an unexpected change in date of payment for my brother's disability that went into effect for the New Year. We have to raise $750 before tomorrow. Steven will get paid on Wednesday, and we would be happy to pay anyone who can lend us this amount (or parts of this amount) on that day. Please share and help in any way possible? Love and gratitude <3
Update Jan 7th: Ninja Princess Livy's 13th birthday is tomorrow. Please continue sharing, and consider donating $1 or more to help us continue to stay safe and together? All donations today and tomorrow will be in honor of my youngest cat, whom I rescued from the streets of SLC when she caught my eye while I was working on my still-unfinished dissertation at a coffee-shop with a friend. I can't believe my baby is going to be 13! Please help us celebrate during this difficult time. As always, lots of love and gratitude to all who have helped us get this far with various forms of support <3
Update Jan 6th: Thank you to all who made it possible for us to make the trip to Utah so that we would have a place to live--thanks to my brother for that! We still need help. Having to change states has once again left us without any source of income, until we can get any help from the state. Due to a number of complications, I am once again without health insurance coverage, and any policy I can get for this month will have high deductibles and probably won't cover my most needed medication, without coverage is approximately $1200 per month, and without which, I will end up in the hospital. The status hearing for my divorce is in CA on the 15th. It would be ideal if we could raise enough money for me to go out there to appear in person, and then rent a moving truck to bring what's left in the storage units out here. Of course, any donations will go to food and medication first. And donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to get back on my feet, but all of the relocations alone continue to bring more problems in terms of getting any stability. Love and gratitude to those of you who have continued to follow our long downward spiral, and those who have helped us in so many ways so that we're still safe and together. <3
Update Dec 24th: Lots of love and gratitude for the donation that came in yesterday! We've got 2 days left to raise $350. We just need 10 people to donate $35. Any amount is appreciated. We wish you all a happy holiday season.
Update Dec 23rd:
We are all so grateful for a couple of surprise donations to help us make our move to Utah where I can make sure my brother is taken care of, and vice versa. We are still trying to raise $400 before we leave Saturday. Are there 10 people who can spare $40? Or 40 people who can spare $10? Any amount will be helpful and appreciated! Other forms of support are also appreciated. We're going to need all the luck, good energy, prayers/prayer equivalents for my car to get us there safely. Thank you to all of you who have helped us make it this far. We wish you a happy holiday season <3
Update Dec 16th: After being subjected to another round of threats and intimidation from my (unfortunately still) husband, and without any help in sight, I was feeling pretty helpless and hopeless this morning. However, I owe enormous gratitude to the anonymous donor who broke our fundraising slump this morning! We can still use all the help we can get, so please continue to share, and if you can afford a holiday donation of $1 or more, every bit helps! Thank you and happy holidays from me, Manson, Margot, Olivia, Zooey, and Lord Byron <3
Update Dec 15th: Please help us break our slump? My brother was released from the hospital yesterday, and I need to get back to Utah asap to make sure he is ok. I still need to raise at least $400 by the 26th, if not sooner, to do what I can with my car to try to make sure we make it there safely. Any donation amount helps, as does sharing this campaign. If anyone is in the bay area and can help me get at least some of my things out of my storage unit and out to Utah between now and January, please let me know? Other suggestions are welcome. Love and gratitude to those who have continued to help us in this unexpectedly long endeavor <3
Update Dec 12: We are in a fundraising slump. I need to raise $400 by the 26th in order to keep a roof over our heads. Please help us by sharing and/or donating any amount you can spare? Love and gratitude to all of you who continue to help in so many ways <3
Update Dec 9: My brother has been hospitalized again in Utah. Please help me raise enough to get back to my home-state with my babies or bring him to CA where healthcare is better funded, and I can make sure he gets the care he needs. Please share with everyone/group you can think of, donate any amount if you are able to, and any other offers of help with housing, moving .or any other ideas are welcome. I'll aim for a more specific minimum amount, but it will take at least $1000. Love and gratitude...praying I don't lose my other half <3
Update Dec 7: Once again, I need help raising at least $1000 in 20 days or less. In addition to my own health problems, my brother's is also in rapid decline since he was released from the hospital. Please help me raise enough money to either go back to Utah, or bring him out this way? Any donation amount will help, and/or please continue to share.
Update Dec 2: Thank you to another surprise donation last night which will help me keep my phone on, food in the "house"--I'm hoping to qualify for emergency food assistancce to help--as well as go towards the medication I need refilled on the 11th. I don't know what I'd do without the incredible generosity from so many people I've never met, and the handful of those I have. Please keep help coming? Any donation amount helps, and sharing helps too. I'm in the process of trying to get disability, but that is taking longer than I have to make sure we're ok, so I'm trying to find work of some sort. My car still needs to be registered, and other bills continue to add up. I'm trying to stay in the area at least until the next divorce status conference on Jan 15th. Our future is incredibly uncertain, and I know times are even tighter with the holidays fast approaching. Thanks to all who have helped us get this far! I wish I didn't still have to ask for more help, but I do. Love and gratitude to all <3
Update Nov 27th: Thank you to those who helped us reach our needed rent amount! We still have a long way to go, and we may need to go to Utah to stay with my brother. Regardless, we still need money for food for us and the kitties, and the phone bill is coming up. I still need to raise $445 to get my car registered, among other costs. I'm looking for work I can do, but my health and pain are getting to the point where I can barely move. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated! Love and gratitude from us <3
Update Nov 20th: We are still $300 short for rent this month, which is due in 6 days. Please help me reach this goal and keep a roof over our heads? Love and gratitude from all of us <3
Update Nov 18th: Love and gratitude to those who have helped me raise 1/2 of this month's goal <3 More emergencies have come up. We still need a lot of help. Please continue to share this, and consider making any donation amount: $1, $5, $10 adds up quickly.
My brother was taken to the hospital yesterday when our mom found him in a state of severe dehydration, malnutrition, and going in and out of hallucinatatory states in his apartment. He is in critical care right now, and they haven't figured out what's wrong. None of us realized his phone was also on the contract Paul was paying for until it ended, so Steven had no way to contact me or our mom when he started to feel himself getting into a scary place. I don't know if it's possible, but I really want to get up to Utah to see him. I've lost too many humans in the past couple of years who I never got to see or say goodbye to. Steven is my other half. Hopefully he wil pull through this. It is unconsciounable that he didn't receive any warning message from Paul to let him know he would need to change phone service. Paul is quite aware of Steven's battles over the years, and when I requested assistance in keeping my phone number for reasons like this, he had his lawyer respond with a snarky message, and no help nor a reminder re Steven's phone was offered.
In addition, Margot's health has reached a level where lack of vet care is no longer an option. Margot is the only one of our cats brought to our family by Paul. Manson's health is also quite poor, and needs to get help as soon as possible. Had I not been forced out of the Bay Area, we would at least have access to the excellent vets who know and love my babies, and who have donated there time and services in the past.
Love and all good things to all of you who continue to help in any way you are able to, and to those of you who are new. We couldn't have made it this far without you all! Jan 15th is the next court date we're trying to survive long enough to make it to. In addition to everything else, I've got to find time to prepare for this hearing, which means a lot of legal research and forms to fill out. Much love and gratitude again from all of us here in Barstow (nowhereland), CA.
Update Nov 11 2015 (Veteran's Day): Please consider making a Veteran's Day donation in honor of my father, Lynn Harris, who sacrificed everything because he served our country when he was drafted for Vietnam just 2 weeks after my parents were married. If I can get enough FB friends and Twitter followers to make donations in the $1, $5, and $10 range, we'll be able to get access to other resources to help bring in money by other methods. I'm trying to raise $2000 this month to cover regular expenses in addition to a handful of extra ones. There are, obviously, other ways to donate if this particular one doesn't work for your situation. I am also tyring to find work I can do, given my severe limitations.
My dad was not a war enthusiast, but he believed in the ideals of our country and in his duty to serve when he was called. If those who were so eager to send him off to war had been half as concerned with his life after he returned so that he had been made aware that he was exposed to Agent Orange and what to look out for, he may not have had to sacrifice his life, and my family may not have been destroyed. We were lucky he lived 28 years after he came home, but his delayed death was still due to his service, and the rest of us continue to suffer the consequences, like so many other families. We have lost everything, and in this unbelievable time of need, there is no help from the government--unless I'm missing something. If so, please let me know?
Below is a more detailed account of what's been going on.
This month has been full of even more expenses than anticipated. We are so grateful to those who have helped us survive this long, and I wish I didn't have to ask for more help. Without the incredible generosity of a couple of suprise donors, I wouldn't have had money to pay rent, buy food for me and the babies, or get my medication for last month. These donations also made it possible for me to get my phone working, as well as be able to buy groceries this week.
I need to come up with a minimum of $400 by the 26th in order to prevent the storage unit from auctioning everything I have left. In addition to cutting off my phone this month, Paul is refusing to pay for the other storage unit that has a number of important items. I'm not yet sure how much it will cost to try to save that one. However, if I can at least save what's in the main one, and get to it, I will be able to sell what I don't need, or offer it to those who donate. If I could get my piano and find a new place to live closer to the LA area, it would also allow for many opportunities for me to make money given my limitations. Either way, I'll need to come up with a minimum of $600 by the 26th for another month's rent here. My car's registration is now past due, and I need to raise $445 to take care of that. Then there's the matter of desperately needed vet care for my babies, which I'm trying to find places to help for low or no cost. But they are special needs cats, and many of their health issues go far beyond basic care. My own health is suffering worse than ever, which makes doing anything almost impossible. I am resorting to taking less medication than I'm supposed to in order to keep the monthly cost around $200. I am doing everything I can to find work that I can do, but the limitations are increasing and the options are decreasing.
Last month I had to deal with the surprise of losing $500 a month in assistance due to complications from this never-ending vengeance-driven divorce, the failure of the Oakland office to keep my assistance in place, like they assured me would continue, until my case was transferred to this county--which they also failed to do, so there was no smooth transition. Even worse, because of the differences in requirements between counties in order to qualify for emergency government assistence in this deserted place I've had to move to, I can't qualify for any help--not even for emergency food stamps. So, I've been playing catch-up with all of the expected bills, just in time for all of the additional urgent unexpected expenses that hit this month.
Update Nov 4 2015: Please keep help coming. I need to come up with money for medication, and other necessities to keep me out of the hospital. I'm trying to find any work I can do in the meantime. Love and gratitude to all <3
Update Oct 29 2015: Thank you to those who made it possible for me to pay rent and get some food! We still need help. I just learned via email from his attorney, Paul is stopping payments on my phone. This is the latest in ways to impose limitations and increase hardship and suffering for me and the furkids he promised to provide a forever home with love and needed medical care for when we adopted them.
So, in addition to everything else, I need to raise enough money to pay for my phone, and register my car. Please share, and any donation amount of $1 or more helps. Love and gratitude to all who have and continue to offer 7yeiowxz;'kl?M<all forms of support.
Update Oct 20.2015: Originally, I set this campaign up at the end of April when we thought we only had to make it until the first temp spousal support hearing scheduled forJuly 29th. The number of setbacks has taken a toll on everybody's health, and now all of us may lose our lives, as it looks like the divorce is going to have to continue until the status conference on Jan 15th. Crisis levels are at an all time high. will update more specific details today, if I can, but for now, my own life is in danger. I'm trying to get my body to hold out and find a way to improve our conditions while waiting for next court date on Jan 15. please help me and my babies by sharing, and/or donations $1+, other ideas welcome.
Update Oct 5.2015: Another plea for help.... The small amount I was receiving monthly from GA ($300) and food stamps ($200) has been terminated without warning, in spite of my effort to keep them informed as required about my circumstances. I needed most of the GA money for my co-pay on absolutely necessary medication in order to avoid a trip to the hospital ER, among other likely terrifying consequences. Manson and Margot are continuing to lose weight, but I cannot afford to pay for the prescription food they need, let alone get them in to see a vet. We are trying to finalize the divorce by Oct 9th, which will provide some much needed relief. However, I cannot go without my medication and accomplish what has to be done in time. Please consider donating any amount from $1 on up, and share this with anyone who might be able/willing to help. Love and gratitude to all who have, and continue to help us in so many ways <3
Update: The divorce process is still unresolved, although we are trying to come to a settlement by Oct 9th. We had to abandon most of my belongings when we had to leave our home. Thanks to so many of you for helping us get this far. We lucked out and found a relatively inexpensive residential hotel we could all stay in, but we're now in Barstow, CA--out in the middle of nowhere. Because the divorce process has been dragged out, for a number of reasons, we don't have enough money to cover next month's rent, $600, which is due on the 27th of September. I won't have enough to pay for my own prescription medication either, let alone the prescription food that Manson needs. I'm going to make a day trip tomorrow (the 19th) to LA to try to sell my engagment ring and wedding band as these are the only items I have with me that I can sell or pawn. There is also a possibility for temp work out there next week. We are doing everything we can, but we still really need more help fast.
Other Updates: Continued call for more help to save my sweet blind baby, Manson. His weight has dropped to 4lbs from 7.6lbs when I had to run him in to the vet August 11th. And that was down from 8.4lbs when I had to run him in last December. I need your help, if you have any ability to donate for vet care. He needs his prescription food at the very least, which is $70 per month. My cats are my children. I'm sorry I have to keep asking for help. I'm so grateful for all the support--donations, love, moral support, and other ways people have reached out to do what they can. I'll be happy to give any of my material possessions for donations, if I have anything you want.
Recent Updates and more about us below:
Thank you so much to those of you who came out to help us save what we could!
We have to relocate by August 24th, and don't yet have enough for a place to stay, or to even rent a truck to move a few things. My first hearing for temporary spousal support was originally set for July 29th, but ended up being rescheduled for September 8th. So, this is creating extra financial, emotional, and physical problems that were unticipated when I started this campaign.
Manson's basic urgent care costs were able to be taken care of thanks to the donations to this campaign and that of the vet who saw him, but he would benefit if we could pay for more vet care. For now, he's holding steady, but his urgent care set us back, and we need to ask for even more help.
More about me and my situation:
My name is Angie Harris, and I am asking for help so that I can keep my fur-kids--my babies (3 black cats)--together and with me in a safe place. After 12 years, my marriage is ending in divorce, which has put us in a very unexpected and desperate set of circumstances. Due to multiple disabilities, I haven't been able to finish my P.h.D degree in Philosophy, or find another form of gainful employment, which has led me to be financially dependent on my soon-to-be-ex-husband for at least 10 years. To make matters worse, we are in the process of being evicted. I've been able to get approved for Emergency Food Stamps, but they don't cover food for my furry family. Two of my cats, Manson (12) and Margot (11), were adopted as "special needs" cats, and require prescription cat food and medication. I rescued Olivia (10) from the streets of SLC, and she has developed stress-induced recurring problems with her eye. With proper care and medicine, she will be ok. Without it, she will most likely lose her eye. When we adopted these precious fur-kids, we promised to give them a forever home and the extra care they would need. Please help me live up to my part of that promise.
We are trying to stay in California while I go through the divorce proceedings. I am currently without representation, which leaves us vulnerable. I was finally approved for General Assistance, and I am also seeking Disability benefits here, and moving out of state would require me to start the already too-long process over. If we can raise enough money for somewhere to stay, and to take care of the everyday and medical costs my babies and I have, then I'll use the rest of the money to retain an attorney to fight for us.
Regardless, we have to relocate by August 23rd, and don't yet have anough for a place to stay, or to even rent a truck to move a few things. My first hearing for temporary spousal support was originally set for July 29th, but ended up being rescheduled for September 8th. So, this is creating extra financial, emotional, and physical problems that were unticipated when I started this campaign.
Please help me keep my family together and off the streets? Any donation amount will help us survive this terrifying situation and allow me to get back on my feet. We can only offer our gratitude and love in return for now.
Organizer
Angie Harris
Organizer
Alameda, CA