Updated Story, July 2025:

Dear Austin Community,

I’ve become the unwilling main character in a true crime story—at least four connected crimes have been committed against me. And now, dear reader, you're a chosen co-star and sidekick. I’m calling this an Interactive True Crime Story—because maybe, together, we can turn this chapter of my life into a fascinating, collaborative, resilient, heart-warming middle, rather than a tragic end.

I write this with a heavy heart, but also with the quiet courage that vulnerability and hope can bring. I never imagined I’d be writing something like this. For 16 months, I’ve tried to navigate things on my own—pulling myself up by those proverbial bootstraps my aunts and uncles love to talk about. Now, I’ve reached a point where I must ask for more help.

For years, I had the joy and privilege of being a full-time educator—teaching kindergarten literacy intervention, middle school health, high school American Sign Language, and most recently, English as a Second Language. Teaching was never just a job—it was my purpose, my passion, and my community.

In February 2024, everything changed. A devastating head-on collision from a driver who blacked out (Crime #1) left me with a concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The cops didn’t give a breathalyzer or drug test to the driver who openly admitted to blacking out. (Crime #2: Negligence, and/or Obstruction of Justice.) Since then, I’ve been diagnosed with functional neurological disorder, PTSD, extreme executive dysfunction, severe depression, and more. My health, livelihood, and stability have slowly unraveled.

To manage pain from the accident, I was receiving medical massage and acupuncture twice a week, covered by car insurance—until coverage ended abruptly last February. Thankfully, a friend introduced me to neurofeedback last December, which some say is the only treatment for brain injuries. I’ve been attending sessions twice a week ever since, along with therapy twice weekly. Both are helping, but healing from a combination of TBI and PTSD takes time.

Despite all these challenges, I’ve done everything I can to keep going—private tutoring in person and online, working as a receptionist for five weeks, and selling handmade jewelry at farmers markets. But nothing has proven sustainable. Now, 16 months later, I’m physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially depleted. I need to vacate my home by the end of July. You were current on this when I paid it a few weeks ago. payments. With less than fifty dollars in my bank account, I’m now facing housing and food insecurity, medical vulnerability, and a frighteningly uncertain future.

I recently applied to teach college courses—ideally asynchronously, so I can work when I feel up for it, and rest on the days that exhaustion and despair consume me and life feels unbearable. I remain hopeful that I’ll be able to re-enter education part-time. But I can’t move forward without a place to land.

If you know of a spare room, a caring household, an organization, or someone who might be able to help, please reach out—or share this message. I’m urgently seeking temporary or stable housing in the Austin area (or elsewhere, if it comes to that), and I’m more than willing to contribute—through tutoring, childcare, errands, or whatever support I am capable of offering. I also welcome connections to individuals, nonprofits, or organizations that assist with housing, food, medical care, or basic needs. I don’t take this ask lightly—it's humbling (to say the least) and truly terrifying to be in this position. I’ve always been someone who helps quietly from the sidelines. Now, I find myself on the other side. I need help.

I’m planning a gathering in Austin that I hope will serve a few functions:

An open mic: Years ago, I hosted one for Halloween and loved seeing friends share their hidden talents. I’d love to bring that magic back. I want to have fun and create moments of connection and silliness in the face of unbearable grief.

A fundraiser: Money can’t buy happiness—but it can buy food, shelter, and health-care services. I need all three. If you're able to donate—or contribute to a silent auction—I’d be deeply grateful. (I already have personal training sessions from a friend, and neurofeedback sessions from my doctor!) Perhaps you have a designer handbag or vintage comic book in your closet that you’d be delighted to donate to a worthy cause. Anything goes.

A possible farewell: After years of calling Austin home, I may need to leave if housing and employment don’t materialize here quickly.

Even a kind word or a simple share can change the course of my story. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I (sometimes) remain hopeful, and I am (always) deeply grateful for your support. There is no question that I would not have made it through these past 16 months without the help of my friends. Thank you for helping me continue to believe in the compassion of this community.

With heartfelt thanks,

Shanna Sun

PS. Yes, I genuinely need help with my mail. To participate in a mail-opening and organizing party, and to secure your place in heaven amongst the other saints and guardian angels, contact Shanna directly.

- - - - - - - - - ORIGINAL GoFundMe Story found Here: - - - - - - - - -

Everything is falling apart. Help.

I was in a head on car crash on February 22nd. I was waiting— completely still, unmoving, stationary— at a stop light. Someone plowed into me. I saw them coming, I honked, and they didn't break or swerve. Boom.

Whether or not you feel compelled to watch the video of my very long, debatably-too-detailed sob-story, there are two categories of ways you could help: First, money. Second: Send me Love & Compassion & Kindness & Support.

Why money? I haven't worked in four months, and since I am a school teacher, if I am able to work again this upcoming school year (best case scenario!), I still won't get my first full paycheck until probably the end of August. (If I can't work this upcoming year, I'll need to up my goal amount for this campaign. Like, a lot.) So, I need money to pay my basic living expenses (food, rent, car insurance, etc), as well as medical bills including co-pays, and certain beneficial treatments that may not be covered by insurance, like massage, and acupuncture.

Second: Send me Love & Compassion & Kindness & Support. How exactly? Phone calls are amazing! Call me up!!! If you live near by, let's get together-- likely preferably doing something requiring little-to-no thought, or energy. And yet, please know: sometimes doing anything, or even talking to anyone about anything for any period of time, is utterly exhausting and I simply cannot muster the energy to do even that. (If you cannot relate to this degree of exhaustion & dysfunction & depression & anhedonia & anxiety, count your lucky stars.) So, with that in mind, if you feel up for calling and leaving me a voice-mail-message, or sending me an audio or video message, that would warm my heart! Consider some of the following topics, or create your own: Your favorite memory with Shanna; your favorite qualities about Shanna; words describing Shanna; what activities would you like to plan to partake in with Shanna in the future? I would give anything to have some things to look forward to!!! [On the fence, but I am considering: I also wonder if it might make me feel seen and heard and validated and less alone to hear about YOUR very own lowest-lows. What happened? How bad did things get? Clearly you survived, but how?]

Whatever you do, please please please do NOT tell me "Everything happens for a reason." or "Try to focus on the positive!" or anything beginning with the words "At least..." All of those sentiments may seem comforting, and might even be said with good intentions, but... they ultimately make me feel invalidated, insulted, and inferior. Hopefully, at some future point, a silver lining will present itself. But currently, everything appears to be sh*t-flavored chaos and hoplessness in every direction. So, please, don't.

Video summary for people with short attention spans: I haven’t worked in nearly four months. My money is running out and expenses are piling up. My brain isn’t functioning, which could be due to the brain injury and/or PTSD from the crash, and is likely a combination of both. I made a video which I tried to keep short, and I tried to tell my story. I tried to include enough information to illuminate my very real, very painful, lived experience, while not including too many graphic details, and I certainly didn't want to include details that might be condemning to any person/people/organizations.

Does this cover everything? Trying to organize my thoughts is an impossible task, due to the brain injury and whatnot, so, I hope some of this makes some sense to some people.

Pray for me, if you're into that kind of thing.