TLDR: I had to deal with Idaho courts for months, and am behind on bills while I search for a job in Portland.

My name is Mira Akbar.

I'm a trans woman who was falsely charged with a felony in Idaho. And this was only two weeks after being the first person to get facial feminization surgery in Central Oregon. I was confined to the state by judge's orders for 4 months while my trial resolved, during which time I had to do weekly check-ins and randomized drug tests (which I had to pay for out of pocket). The charges were eventually dropped, and I was left with nothing more than a minimal fine once the court case concluded.

There were many ways in which I was horribly mistreated through the whole process, and I am hoping to pursue legal action against Payette County. However, that is a separate issue that doesn't have to do with this fundraising. (If anyone knows of a good lawyer who is practicing in the state of Idaho, please contact me separately.)

I AM NOT ASKING FOR COURT HELP, OR HELP FOR ANYTHING RELATING TO CRIMINAL CHARGES.

THE CHARGES WERE DROPPED.

HOWEVER, MY FINANCES ARE NOW MORE THAN A SEASON BEHIND SCHEDULE BECAUSE OF THE LENGTHY COURT PROCESS.

During my time in Idaho, I was unable to get a job. I never planned on being in Idaho more than a few weeks. The trial delays were unexpected and constantly pushed back my timeframe. This made it almost impossible to plan or to commit to a work schedule. Further exacerbating this was the fact that I had to make lengthy trips to Bend and Portland for medical care (I was allowed to leave the state only if I could prove it was for a medical reason. Since I'm on OHP, I couldn't get care in Idaho).

Even worse, I was dealing with a conflux of medical health troubles that exhausted my energy and greatly affected my cognition. I was already dealing with healing from major surgery, which involved having 52 staples across my forehead, as well as swelling that even now is still in the process of subsiding. Additionally, I was left with PTSD-like symptoms from the surgery itself and a severe lack of sleep because of the pain.

I had accidentally hit my head the night of the charges hard enough that a doctor later said that I should have had stitches. This also caused typical head injury symptoms such as erratic behavior, confused speech, hypersensitivity, further sleep disruption, lack of impulse control, and conspiracy mindsets. It took me months to feel like myself again.

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Luckily, I feel that I have overcome all these difficulties, and the future looks bright. It's even opened up doors for new passions! Because of how much I had to look up and take time to understand about my court case (I was terrified of going to a men's prison), I now feel a passion toward paralegal work. Even better, there's a 2-year program for it right here at Portland Community College. I'm already making friends, getting connected to volunteer work, and plugging into activism and community. I feel like I can truly be myself here, and that I'll be able to thrive.

It already feels like home.

That said... The finances are DIRE.

My cards are all maxed out, and I'm behind a few months on payments. My credit score has dipped from a nice 700 to about 550. I have nothing in the bank, and about 20 bucks to use on gas before I'm also landlocked and can't afford to drive.

The most stressful and concerning is that I'm a month behind on my camper payments and insurance. I'm scared of my home being taken away from me.

I'm actively looking for jobs and have been applying as if it's a full-time job. I'm confident that something will show up soon (hopefully in books and/or non-profit!). But, I'm very concerned about that gap before receiving the first paycheck.

I just need enough to get back on track, that's all.

Truly, anything helps!!!