About eight months ago, I was hit with a massive SCE bill that was racked up by someone else over six years ago without my knowledge. That bill has been linked to my current account, and as a result, my power has been shut off. This is just another chapter in a long saga of identity theft that began five years ago. I’ve been working with an attorney, but the legal process is slow, and the immediate crisis is that my home is without power.

The urgency is real: I need to raise funds by 3 PM today to get the power turned back on before we head into a weekend of triple-digit heat. It’s overwhelming and honestly humiliating to ask for help, especially while I’m still recovering from surgery earlier this week. I have two large dogs—a 90-pound pitbull and a Siberian husky—who are also struggling in this heat. Missing work isn’t an option for me, so I’m doing everything I can to keep pushing forward.

I’ve always believed in good luck and gratitude, but sometimes life throws a string of bad luck that’s hard to balance. Right now, I’m out of options and leaning on my community for support. Any help to restore our power and get us through this crisis would mean the world to me. I promise to pay it forward when I can, and I’m deeply grateful for any kindness you can offer.