It’s a really tough time to be a trans person, let alone a disabled, trans, and racialized person living with sudden medical expenses, unexpected and urgent car repairs, and ongoing food insecurity. My friend Javi is unable to work following a car accident, and is dealing with acute brain and extensive whiplash injuries in addition to mounting debt and the need to replace his car.

Javi needs mutual aid in the form of financial support to begin paying off his debt. His mental and physical health have both been declining due to stress, so we’re crowdfunding $6000 so Javi can afford to pay off enough of his debt to get credit card collections off his back – $800 by TODAY (or as soon as possible) – and enough to care for himself for the foreseeable future while he recovers. Someone ran Javi into the barriers while they attempted to illegally pass the car ahead of them by coming on my side of the highway, so not only is his car destroyed, but they are injured and need time to recover, and funds can help them do just that.

Javi and I have been friends for over two years, and he has been instrumental in my emotional wellbeing during a cross-country move while I seek medical care for my disabilities, and more recently, as I’ve faced rampant ableism in my workplace. It astounds me how the people going through the most are usually the first to show up for others going through it, and Javi is no exception. In fact, he's a particularly powerful example of how disabled people help keep each other alive and as well as we can be. There have been many nights where Javi’s presence on the phone kept me sober, and his friendship has greatly helped me in learning to love myself with more kindness and patience (as well as a sense of humour). Javi shows up for his community – can we show up for him?

Unfortunately, due to the nature of Javi’s disabilities, many jobs and side hustles are inaccessible to him, and he is majorly burnt out from surviving in a world that’s falling apart at the seams and not built for people like him. One of the many reasons securing funds for Javi is crucial is due to the risk of his getting sicker or causing permanent damage to his body and brain if he continues to push himself.

Trans, racialized and disabled people are consistently denied adequate medical care and food/housing security, and many of us push ourselves to the point of collapse, which can lead to a dangerous, permanent reduction in our baseline functioning. If Javi can’t rest, he may not be able to fully recover from the effects of his recent car crash, let alone process his extensive traumas and manage life’s necessities. Javi has done everything in his power to manage this situation by himself, and it's up to us to help each other survive. Collective care is resistance!

Javi is a cat parent and artist. This past year, Javi has become too sick to put much time into these things. Securing some funds would give Javi the ability to heal from his car accident physically and mentally, as well as other parts of the painful reality he’s currently living within. If Javi can pay his bills this month and next, he may be able to improve his previous baseline functioning and return to work. Javi dreams of stability and a future with children, as well as to be able to show up for his cats, Daisy (tuxedo cat pictured) and Teddy (grey cat pictured).

We are aiming to crowdfund $6000 as soon as possible to help Javi secure the resources he needs to survive and heal from his recent car accident. Meeting our basic needs relieves a major amount of stress on our nervous systems, and having enough funds to remain flexible as bills and needs shift and pile up, can help

Javi feel not only physically and emotionally safe, but supported, loved, and able to recover and grow.

Funds raised will go directly to Javi for the purposes of paying rent, credit card debt, medical expenses and other bills, as well as paying for urgent car repairs, motorized mobility aids, and basic groceries.

Javi needs us – let’s show up for him like he’s shown up for us and show him that he matters and is worthy of support, no matter how hard it is to ask for it! No amount of support (financial or otherwise) is too small. Thank you in advance <3

- Radikal