Help a Homeless Disabled Person With Car Repairs

Please Help a Homeless, Disabled Person Repair The Vehicle They Live In

Hi Friends :-)

My name is Tasha Teeling. and here is a little information about me and some of my story.

I am 46, I have a small aging but sweet dog, named Cookie.  My fur baby and I have been living in our vehicle, on the streets of Florida, for about 5 years full time now. Sadly, not by choice.

I was not always homeless. 

I graduated top of my class in nursing school. even receiving an award for academic excellence along with additional regard for community volunteer work. 

I used to be the one helping those in need. 

After graduating, I worked in home healthcare, primarily taking care of quadriplegics and Alzheimer's patients. I did this while also working a second full time job, at a very large bank. At the bank I was a customer service representative, for high end clients. In my banking position,I consistently ranked in the top 5% of the company, in my sector. I say this not to brag, but to make a point that I was not always disabled…. I have been an achiever. 

Unfortunately, 2015 broke down my health and ability to adapt. During 2015 a multitude of catastrophic events happened. 

I lost my good friend and mentor to lung and brain cancer. 

My long term Fiance and best friend left. 

A drunk driver crashed through my home, destroying my paid off car in the process. 

During this time at I was fighting foreclosure on my home. 

With all these events and no family support, I ended up being hospitalized a multiple times. 

This has resulted in me becoming permanently disabled and being let go by my employers. 

I then went without any income for two consecutive years, but attempted to fight to save my home anyway. 

Unfortunately, in 2019 I lost the battle to save my home and was evicted. 

I did not give up on life. I took the very most basic, essential, and important things that I could manage to carry on my own- and fit into a very small storage Unit. A storage unit that I was able to afford. I lived in this non habitable garage type unit for over 6 months, while I built out an older van outside the unit.  A 2000 Dodge van so that I would able to live a semblance of a life with a permanent bed and place to cook. I knew I would be in it for a long time. 

I am filled with sadness to say, I did this mostly all alone, with no contact or help from my family. 

During that time, I lost over 40 pounds, due to heat exhaustion (multiple times) and malnourishment. 

But I am proud to say; I completed my build - even if it was done outdoors in the Florida heat, during the summer months.

I've now spent almost 5 years living on the streets, moving multiple times a day, every single day of the week. 

This constant moving and instability occurred all while I have to deal with my disabilities. I therefore, have never had an opportunity to relax and breathe since 2015.

This instability and search for water and safe parking has put me into a constant state of survival, limiting my life and the ability to have a sense of normalcy.

All of my hobbies, and planned business ventures along with many friendships, which I had previously cultivated, became impossible to maintain as a homeless disabled unemployed person. 

I was sadly -simply- put aside.

Police are routinely dispatched to question and harass me ( and many Homeless individuals). I know I am not alone in this- but I am ready to get away from this.

I am also forced to escape the brutally hot Florida climate for cooler temperatures, so that I and my only doggie companion, do not die in a hot vehicle. Our vehicle has reached upwards of over a 100 degrees Fahrenheit- in the worst of humid conditions. 

This translate to the fact that because I must travel north, I end up far from my medical professionals and must spend extra money for gas to move back and forth for survival- not pleasure. 

I have been disowned and disinherited by all of my living family members. They have refused to speak to me or answer any of my questions concerning my well-being. I've simply been abandoned , as if I never existed or was wanted.

This state of abandonment hurts very deeply and causes me to be in a constant state of grief as well as loss, which plagues me often.

This situation, which affects my state of mind, has completely destroyed the relationship between my Son and I, whom I love more than anyone, and I want back in my life. But to do so I know I must regain a semblance of my stable, energetic and balanced self. 

I have looked endlessly for apartments or other sorts of stable / traditional living situations - that could possibly allow me to get me off of the streets. While remaining close to my doctor and pharmacist of 10 years (who sees me monthly). I simply, do not make enough on disability income to meet the income criteria, to be approved for 4 walls. 

Family is not an option, so moving in even temporarily with them is off the table. 

If that were the case I'd be able to get a stable, somewhat comfortable location, allowing me to be able to heal. Eventually being able to put my skills into some of my business ideas that would grant me a stable lifestyle. I was once able to be productive, helpful, and to contribute to this world.

Having been on the streets for so long and constantly having to move around, I am in great need of repairs to my vehicle which is also my home. It is currently in desperate need of two tires, and brakes. I recently had a tire blow out on the very busy highway while moving to another place to stay and it was of course potentially deadly to myself and others around me. I was able to replace those two tires with the help of some close friends. I do not want to endanger others or myself in any ways. My vehicle is in need of a fuel pump which is on its last legs and the intake gaskets are in need of replacement as well. The vehicle is very old, but it's all I have.

Right now I'm simply asking for your help with the tires and brakes, and will address the other issues in the future with hopes that I will not be stranded alone as I have been many times before. I've put all my effort, labor, and money earned from selling everything of value I had before my sticks and bricks home was taken from me 5 years ago into this vehicle when I first had to move into it. I would repair the brakes myself, but being away from my tools and having no place to work on the vehicle, this is not an option.

Looking online it appears the average for front brake pad and rotor replacement is around $500.00 I'm unsure what the rear will need if anything. Two tires just cost me about $350.00 so I imagine not much has changed there. An alignment appears to run around $150.00 at this time. So in total I am asking for your help with $1000.00

Thank you so very much for even reading this far, and any and all support is appreciated. If you're unable to help in any way financially, please take the time to share this with someone who may.

Thank You,

Tasha Teeling