Help a Queer BIPOC Community Member Get a Reliable Car!

Hi there, I’m S.M. Rippley (you can call me “Rippley”). You might have known me by another name in the past, and I’m excited to reintroduce myself with my chosen name.

Over the past year and a half, I’ve dedicated a significant amount of my time to restabilizing after a major C-PTSD episode in 2023. This period has been a profound journey of learning and relearning what it means to live with C-PTSD. I've been working hard to regain my emotional, physical, and mental balance after experiencing intensely distressing reactivation of trauma symptoms and distressing events tied to my past.

C-PTSD is a lifelong condition, and I’m focused on healing by building a strong foundation at a steady pace. Patience is challenging, but I’m truly giving it my all. Healing from trauma is a full-time job that doesn’t pay. As part of my journey, which includes 3-5 appointments a week and participation in a specialized program, I’ve had to significantly reduce the amount of work I can take on. Unfortunately, this has severely impacted my financial stability and quality of life. Despite these challenges, I’ve made remarkable progress and am growing stronger every day. However, the lack of financial resources remains a critical barrier to maintaining and advancing this forward momentum.

Throughout this process, I’ve leaned heavily on my chosen family, loved ones, and friends. I’m deeply grateful for their love, support, and patience with/for me. I’m creating this fundraiser to reach out to the broader community for support, in hopes of lessening the load on those who have been in this process with me since 2023.

Why a Car Matters:

● Employment: With a car, I can access job opportunities that are currently out of reach due to limited public transportation.

● Services: Essential services such as medical appointments, grocery shopping, and community support would become more accessible.

● Friendships: I would be able to maintain and nurture friendships, and rump around in different places with my dog Coda—both of which are crucial for my emotional and mental well-being.

The Impact: Your donation will directly support me in achieving greater autonomy, stability, decrease systematic barriers, and increase my mental and physical health. Every dollar brings me closer to gaining the mobility I need to thrive.

How You Can Help:

● Donate: Any amount helps! Even small contributions add up to make a big difference. Bonus points for leaving a sweet message in the donation comments.

● Share: Spread the word by sharing this campaign with your network.

● Support: Send words of encouragement my way, to remind me that I have a large community that cares for me and those around me.

Owning a safe, reliable car would make a significant impact on my life. Please help me get behind the wheel and drive towards a brighter future!

Donate now and be a part of my (Rippley’s) journey toward rebuilding my autonomy and a well-rounded life.

Thank you for your generosity and support!