Help Salina - Out of the Frying Pan, In The Fire

CW: Suicidal Ideation

Hi! My name is Salina and I'm a neurodivergent trans woman who has been out for less than a year. I ended up in a spiral of suicidal ideation due to the perfect storm of living in Mississippi as a trans person and not having the space to explore and become me plus medical whack-a-mole as my mental health team and I tried to find a stable solution to my ADHD symptoms. With the encouragement of both my MH team and several compassionate coworkers, I took a leave of absence on FMLA.

Unfortunately things got worse before they got better. My psychiatrist at the time stopped responding to my calls and texts and refused to send copies of my medical records for the approval of FMLA and SDI. Fortunately I was able to get FMLA approved with just the records from my therapist, but the SDI was officially denied last week. Since I have had no income since April, I have lost my apartment, been unable to pay child support, and unable to pay bills such as my phone (which has been disconnected) and car payments.

All in all I owe upwards of $13,000 just in unpaid bills/support to-date. This does not include past due amounts for credit card debt from two divorces and over two decades of untreated MH issues.

Fortunately things DID get better - I found a place that feels like home, have met and made wonderful friends, and been able to return to work part time with the intention to return to full time once I can establish a stable routine. I just can't tackle this last mountain alone and could use all the love and support you can spare

Any donations will go towards (numbers are approximate):

$550 in past due phone bills so I can stay in contact with my loved ones, coworkers, and medical professionals.

$7500 in past due child support so my ex can recoup some of the extra she had to put in taking care of our four children while I was out of work.

$4000 in past due car payments, insurance, and registration fees needed to complete my relocation to Colorado.

$400 in past due medical bills and upcoming copays for critical MH and HRT Rx.

$300 in past due storage unit rental costs where the belongings I could not fit in the car still reside in Mississippi.

The rest will go towards current living expenses as I get back on my feet including rent, food, utilities, and gas. I am fortunate in having a safe place to stay and food to eat, but currently I do not contribute anything to those expenses and I ought to be.

Above and beyond that will go either towards helping eliminate old debt so I have the financial freedom to pay your generosity forward, or directly donated to other trans people and charities in need.

Thank you so much for reading my story and your love and support. If possible I'd ask that you also share this to as wide an audience as you can - more hands lighten the load for all of us.