Help Nicole and Lyla Rebuild After Loss

Hello everyone,

I never imagined I’d be in a position to write something like this, but life has thrown an unexpected and heartbreaking challenge my way.

Just a few months ago, I made the difficult decision to move my 3-year-old daughter and I out of our home to pursue a safer and healthier living environment. I was hopeful, determined, and ready for a fresh start for her and I. In the meantime, I placed all of our belongings — everything we had left — into a secured storage facility that had good reviews and no red flags.

Recently, I went to check on our things and retrieve an item, only to discover that the facility had been overrun by a severe rat infestation. Urine and feces covered everything, my belongings chewed-up, and destroyed keepsakes… everything is a total loss, and to say I am devastated is an understatement. If you know me, you know I cherish my things deeply and everything has a meaning, down to items from elders who have passed, keepsakes from when my daughter was a baby, keepsakes from when I was a baby.

What makes this even more devastating is that the storage company never disclosed this issue — despite being aware of it. I have only been with this storage facility for 2 months. I did everything I could to research a reputable place, and nothing could have prepared me for this outcome. I believe many other tenants are still unaware this is happening to their units as well.

I do have renters insurance that includes off-site storage coverage. However, after speaking with my provider, I’ve learned that filing a claim would only cover 10% of the value of my belongings — and worse, it would damage my insurance history. Filing would likely result in my current coverage being dropped and potentially denied by other companies for the next 3 years, which is not going to work as I am trying to move into a new home with my daughter and will need coverage. All for something completely out of my control.

To say this has been overwhelming is an understatement. I am a single mom doing my best every day to create a stable, safe, and loving home for my daughter. This loss has not only set us back emotionally, but financially. We were just starting to get back on our feet — and now we are faced with having to replace nearly everything we owned, from furniture, clothing, linens/bedding, kitchen/home essentials to my daughter’s toys and cherished keepsakes.

I am navigating the removal and disposal of the destroyed items, which comes with its own costs. On top of that, with a weakened immune system, even the process of sorting through this hazardous mess poses serious health risks.

This situation has left us feeling heartbroken, stretched thin, and out of options. Reaching out for help like this is extremely uncomfortable for me — but I’ve come to realize that sometimes, you just can’t do it all on your own.

I know I have a strong and caring community of friends and family, so I reaching out for a help. I am truly grateful for every bit of support, whether it’s a donation, a share, or a kind message of encouragement.

Your Support Will Help:

Anything you can give — no matter how small — will make a difference in helping us rebuild from this devastating loss and start over with dignity and hope.

I have heard there is a fee with donating. I am not familiar with how this platform works, so if you want to donate differently, I created a Venmo:

@Nicole-MacIntosh-1

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

— Nicole MacIntosh