Hi everyone,

I’ve gone back and forth about sharing this, but I’m at a point where honesty feels more responsible than silence.

Not long ago, I was shot in my leg while sitting in my own car. I was the only one hit. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, collateral damage in a situation that had nothing to do with me. My car was totaled as a result. While insurance and gap coverage paid off the remaining balance on the vehicle, it left me in the position of having no car and no financial payout to replace it. While the physical injury healed, the ripple effects have not.

Losing my car flipped my world upside down. Transportation is essential for work, daily responsibilities, and rebuilding a sense of normalcy. At the same time, I’ve been navigating the mental aftermath of the experience, including anxiety around loud noises and sudden sounds something I never dealt with before.

I’ve been trying to stack, save, and handle this quietly while still managing regular adult responsibilities, but the financial gap has become overwhelming. Right now, I’m fundraising specifically to help me purchase a reliable car so I can regain independence, stability, and a sense of safety.

Let me say this plainly: I am not asking strangers to fix my life. I am asking my community to help me replace one essential tool that was taken from me through violence.

After the incident, I had to relocate back to my mom’s home, which has been another reminder of how much my world changed overnight. While this fundraiser is focused on transportation, any additional support would help me continue rebuilding toward independence and stability.

This is hard to ask for, but any support whether through donating or sharing helps more than I can express. Thank you for reading, for holding space, and for helping me move forward.

With gratitude,

Brianna