Hello! My name is Carmen and I could use your help. My partner and I have had a difficult year financially with job loss, family passing, and severe illness. Any help would keep us in our current housing and not out in the cold this winter.

We are earning income, but it does not cover all of our needs. We have been asking for help from friends and family members for over a year now, but it still has not been enough to pay for the endless costs of living as well as constant extra expenses happening at the worst time.

What happened?

Previously, my partner had been lucky enough to work for a large technology company. The financial stability let me launch my career as a professional illustrator. Things were going well for us, but like many other families, the pandemic lockdown started a financial spiral we have not recovered from.

The majority of the income I make as a professional artist is from traveling to different art shows and conventions selling my artwork and products. When lockdown happened, every large event cancelled, and all of my potential income was gone. While many of my peers transitioned to temporary online selling to make up for the event cancellations, I fell extremely ill for an entire month, and was unable to pivot my business successfully.

My partner did her best to take care of me and continue working from home for the tech company. Unfortunately, her father passed away shortly after that time. The combined difficulties of family loss and my health affected her work output and the company let her go.

Because of the work both of us had done to that point, we had about 3 months of emergency savings to pay for bills in that very stressful time. However, the lockdown continued for much longer than 3 months, and both of us were without work. Both of us did get some new employment around that time, but neither opportunity lasted. The employment my partner found was not a safe work environment and she ended up needing to leave. I found a job, but I ended up with severe work injuries and also had to leave it.

Our cats help us keep going. Now that events are happening again, I have been able to generate income for us again. My partner has a new job doing package delivery. We are slowly recovering from an incredibly difficult time.

Our income is barely paying for all of our expenses however. Our vehicle has had several issues with needing a new starter and new tire, I had surgery and was unable to work for two months, and life always has extra expenses to throw at you like vet visits or work clothes. Any extra funds would enable to get ahead on these instead trying to catch up.

What is the money for?

Currently, we have a lease for the apartment we live in. Our lease runs until July 2022. This is our biggest expense and the most stressful one every month.

Other expenses we pay are for utilities like electricity and internet (essential for my work), food, gasoline, and healthcare. My partner and I both have chronic conditions that require medication everyday.

I have lived in poverty for most of my life. I know how to budget, what to be frugal about, and how to save on expenses. These things help, but they do not make money appear that just is not there.

If we meet our goal, the funds will go to:

Any amount helps us stay housed and keep living. Thank you so much for reading our story. We are eternally thankful for anyone that helps us. We will be paying it forward in the future.

♥

About us:

Thanks for reading our story! You can call me Carmen or Rain, and my pronouns are they/them/theirs. I'm a professional illustrator and merchandise designer. I have published work, and I am selling my own artworks through my studio, Caramel Comics. I am a disabled, queer, person of color. I am the first in my family to finish college after high school and I paid for college on my own.

I tell you all these things to let you know that I know what it means to struggle. Life has never really been easy for me, but I've not let it stop me yet. When you are constantly fighting to succeed, you know when is the time to ask for help. This is the time for me. If you can spare any financial help, it will help me keep fighting for my family and my future.

If you would like to support my career, you can visit my website or follow me on social media. As a small business owner, your support helps me with everything.

Caramel Comics web presence:

website

Thank you for all of your support!

-Carmen "Rain" E. Schwierking

My partner's name is Juniper, June for short, and she is the main thing that keeps me afloat during tough times. She is an accomplished poet and my behind-the-scenes help for my art business. She supports me in everything I try to do. The lockdown was especially hard to her with the loss of her job and father. The work she has done to take care of me with my health issues while continuing to work jobs and provide for us has been extremely difficult.

Any support we get will help lessen her stress and struggles. I will be forever grateful to anyone that can help us and ease the burden on her.

Our cats Shy, the shorthair, and Snowball, the longhair, are also a big part of our little family. Both are rescues we adopted from different local animal shelters. Black cats have the lowest adoption rates and have higher rates of animal abuse cases. We had the funds to care for them easily when we adopted them, but our struggles with our own funds have been difficult on them as well (less treats and toys).

Some may wonder why we didn't give them back to the shelters or give them away when money became scarce. As adult black cats, their chances for adoption are very low if we gave them up. We also don't just leave family behind because times are tough. Any funds that June and I receive also go to making sure these two girls have happy, healthy lives in their forever home.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.):

Why don't you two get a job?

We both have jobs. My partner works delivering packages and I run a small business. We are doing our best, but need a little help from previous setbacks.

Why don't you get a real job?

I understand the stereotype of starving artist. The reality is that I am good at my job, but I just need some help at the moment. As far as "real jobs," I have worked many of them before and often several at once. My health issues make it so I can no longer work traditional employment. If you know a job that lets one sit for the majority of the time with short shifts working under 15 hours a week, let me know. Until then, I will continue with my career.

You don't look disabled/What health issues?

I have been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hypermobility type). The basic concept of this condition is that the collagen in my body isn't built correctly. This makes all movement more difficult for me, causes pain, and wears down my body faster. The work injuries I mentioned earlier were from typing too much. I tore the muscles in my arms just from typing and it took months to heal.

Since my diagnosis I have been very proactive in taking care of my body. There is no cure for this condition; I am just capable of less physical activity for the rest of my life. This is a severe limitation on the labor I can produce. "Pushing myself" quite literally tears my body apart. When I say I am working as much as I can, I truly mean it.

I also deal with mental health struggles as well. I have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Inattentive Type) as well as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While I receive medication and treatment for these, some days are much more difficult than others.

I share these things with you for openness. I am not ashamed of my health issues, but that does not mean they do not impact me every single day. Any bit of help goes to securing a future for my family and me that works with my body instead of against it.

Why crowdfunding?

My family and my partner's family have been helping us a lot throughout this time. They cannot fund us forever though; they have their own expenses. I believe in the power of society to make things better for everyone.

What do I get for helping?

The joy of knowing two people are housed is the first thing. If you donate a large amount, you can contact me with proof of the donation and we can discuss a possible artwork commission. I do not guarantee that a donation will get you artwork, but I am happy to discuss the opportunity.

The main reward is knowing that you helped two humans and two cats stay housed this winter and made their lives easier. I believe in the good of the community and I thank you for all of your help.

♥