Help Kaitlyn Darby Find Safe Housing

Hey everyone!

We are attempting to raise some money for our sweet friend Kaityln Darby. Kaitlyn has been struggling with some medical issues that have left her with disabilities making it hard for her to work. She has now exhausted all of her savings and has found herself in a very difficult situation. She is currently living out of her car and has been for the past two months. Our goal is to help her pay for a hotel until her government housing is available. She is working on getting housing set up, however as most of us know, the government puts up a lot of red tape with these things and it can take a while. We have found a hotel that meets her needs, and our goal is to set her up in this hotel for 6 weeks. If you feel that God has led you here to donate a night or two for the hotel then we would really appreciate it. Each night is 60 dollars, but every little bit helps. Please read more about her personal journey in her words below.

Dear Reader,

Four years ago, I was diagnosed with Premenopausal Idiopathic Osteoporosis. The disorder is highly unusual in someone so young. The disease that causes this depletion of my bone density remains unknown.

Since 2021, I have had six fracture repair surgeries. They began with stress fractures and the rest resulted from simple trips and falls. I have met with my orthopedic surgeon in the operating room far more than anyone should. My body is being held together by metal in both hips, my left femur, tibial plateau, tibia, and fibula. Prior to 2021, I’d never broken a bone.

It has taken me years to find the courage to fight and advocate for my own healthcare - to not just be dismissed as a “fascinating” but unsolvable case. I believe I finally have a group of providers from Duke and UNC behind me that are truly gifts from God. They are meant to be doing exactly what they are, and that’s helping me fight for my life.

My fourth team of endocrinologists, now at Duke, had me do a bone biopsy that was sent to the very prestigious Mayo Clinic. While they were able to determine the “what”, I’ve had to accept that I may never know the “why” behind what is happening to me. When I fracture a bone, it doesn’t just break, it shatters. Extremely delayed healing and debilitating, chronic pain are also a part of my diagnosis.

In November of 2024, I started a bone strengthening medication that I’ve been fighting to be prescribed since the beginning of my physical health decline.

I have applied for Social Security Disability benefits through a disability lawyer. It’s a very long process, and I’m still waiting on the outcome as they do a deep dive into my medical history. I have fought and won getting Medicaid and food assistance.

I have gone through all of my savings. I have become homeless and am living out of my car. This has been going on for approximately two months.

I have not been sitting idly by. I’ve been advocating for myself every single day. I’ve switched to a tailored Medicaid plan that has a housing program for those with mental health disabilities - which I have also been diagnosed with. I have done the interview assessment. If I am deemed eligible, this could provide a long term housing solution. There is a lot of red tape to get through as with any government program. They have not provided me with a timeline as of yet. So, the housing process is yet another waiting game. But I will continue to keep this updated.

I have also done intake for a Community Support Team, which is a team of mental health professionals working in tandem for my benefit, such as a psychiatrist, therapist, and peer support specialist. The wait time for this to begin is 4 to 6 weeks.

Unfortunately, a shelter is not conducive to someone with my disabilities. There are separate day and night shelters that I don’t know how I would manage to carry my belongings between. I do wear a leg brace and use a walker. I have to use a wheelchair for longer distances.

Two of my dearest childhood friends have come up with the idea of funding an affordable hotel stay for as long as funding is possible. I cannot tell you what it would mean to be able to sleep in a bed, shower regularly, and do laundry again. Feeling safe to sleep would truly be life altering.

If you feel moved to help, whether financially or through sharing this post, it would mean the world to me. The hotel is ~$60 a night.

Thank you for allowing me to share a portion of my story with you. I wish you health and happiness, God bless.