edited 6.6.24
hello and thank you for your time –
i’m robin, a trans + disabled artist in brooklyn. with your help, i can remain housed.
what’s happening and how you can help
until Social Security approves my disability benefits application, i need to sell art and ask for gifts to cover rent, the death of my cat, and utilities. i will archive this fundraiser once Social Security comes through
history and context
in 2022 i realized that i had significantly less energy than my life required. in january i struggled to get out of bed. in april i got a beautiful cane. in august i began my disability benefits application. by september i could no longer make a phone call or write an email, and i had to leave a job i loved. the only reason i survived the winter is my cat sat on me when i wanted to walk out the door one bad day after another.
by may 2023 i used all my savings. my friends have been incredibly generous with food and money. many of these folks encouraged me to set up a fundraising link.
easter weekend, my cat suddenly died.
i set up sinceremoose.etsy.com
SNAP granted me benefits. i get to re-teach my body to eat!
in june my old roommates tell me to take them to housing court
in august i resigned my lease for two years, guaranteeing rent stays low
in november SNAP granted me cash benefits! i can buy cleaning products and toilet paper.
february 2024 i get new roommates.
Social Security calls me to talk about disability. they promise to mail me their decision "soon"...
in may, housing court closes the old roommate case. i start work on changing the locks.
all this while i deal with
chronic fatigue, burnout, chronic depression and anxiety disorder
and learn how to make the best possible habitat for my autistic brain.
my next moves are to:
- CONTINUE application processes for low/no-income benefits such as SNAP
- CONTINUE the process for disability benefits (currently waiting for a decision from the hearing in february 2024)
- SELL the art i've made to sell
- CONTINUE steps to resolve housing conflicts
if i remain housed i'll continue to finish WIPs, steward a backyard of flowers and vegetables and birds, make new art, and perhaps even obtain stable health
if i do not make rent
the flowers and vegetables i grew from seed in the backyard will fend for themselves for a season or two. i'll give away and recycle my art. i'll leave this fixed-rent apartment where i’ve lived several years. i certainly won’t be less disabled after dissolving my life and home. at best, having been denied assistance by our state, i'll probably end up in a hospital for a long time.
again, thank you for your time. thank you for your resources. thank you for helping keep me in my home. may you be well