Never in a million years did I think I’d be in a situation like this, sharing the most private details of my life that I’m so ashamed of in a forum for all the world to see. I’m relying on the kindness of friends and acquaintances to try to make it out of this situation. I’m burying what little pride I had left and posting this story I’m ashamed to tell because, frankly, in less than two weeks, if I can’t pull off a miracle, it won’t matter anyway—so what do I have to lose? The short answer is major depressive disorder. It has destroyed everything I worked so hard to build and left me scrambling to pick up the pieces and rebuild.

I’ve been eking out a living these past several months by driving for Uber and Lyft. Then both Uber and Lyft notified me of an annual recertification that’s due in less than two weeks. I wasn’t aware this was required each year. With the check engine light on, I can’t pass that recertification, and my income will stop entirely. The repair bill is about $2,800, and until that’s fixed I can’t drive the hours I need to survive. With the repair bill, past-due payments, and that looming deadline, it puts me between a rock and a hard place. I’ve sold everything of value and tried every option I can think of. At this point I’m out of plans, ideas, options, and resources. When you’re in that spot—no money coming in—well, that’s where the book ends. It’s not what I want, but if I lose the ability to make money, that’s where this story will end. This is my Hail Mary.

I’m asking for $5,000 to cover urgent items that will keep me working and give me a short runway to stabilize:

$2,800 — car repairs (check engine light, diagnostics, parts, labor)

$600 — car payments, 60 days past due

$500 — car insurance premium and renewal due in ~2 weeks

$1,000 — fuel, food, and emergency expenses (something comes up every day)

If 50 people give $100 the goal is met. Any amount helps. If you can’t donate, please share this page. Shares matter as much as donations.

Why this matters:

If I lose my car I lose my shelter and my income. Help now buys time to repair the car, keep working, and pass the recertification so I can stabilize and get back on my feet. Ultimately, if I can’t recertify, my income stops. And when you’re out of money, options, ideas, and fallback plans—what do you have left? That’s where I am now, and why I need help.

Thank you for reading and for any donations or shares. This is extremely hard to ask. I’m already standing on the edge of a cliff. If I can get just a few feet away, I feel like I can make it. If a miracle, which I pray for daily, doesn't come my way soon, I've fallen off the cliff.