Hi, I'm Stephen (they/them)

I'm a 34-year-old Japanese-Hungarian Canadian trans person who is disabled and chronically ill.

Back in 2020, my mental health-something I've struggled with since I was a teenager-hit a crisis point. That crisis uprooted me from my community, family, and home I had built over seven years. I lost my job, my home, and had to move to another province that hasn't been safe or supportive for me.

For two years, I was unemployed and unhoused, moving from place to place. The instability made my mental health spiral even further, and eventually it started to affect my physical health too. I developed an eating disorder, and the combination of mental and physical challenges pushed me deep into debt. I'm still carrying that weight today, and its been devasting.

Over the past two years, I've been freelancing because its the only way I can manage my disabilities. My symptoms change day to day, and with multiple health conditions, I can't keep up with a full-time job. Even with freelancing, I've been stuck living paycheque to paycheque, constantly fighting to stay afloat. This cycle has made my health worse, both mentally and physically. On top of that, my gender dysphoria has become harder to cope with, and the financial strain has pushed gender-affirming care, something I need for survival, even further out of reach.

The Urgent Situation

If I can pay off my current debt, I'll finally be able to focus on finding stable work, pay for dental care, and save for gender-affirming care I need.

Why I Need Your Help?

Clearing this debt isnt just about money, it’s about survival. I can't do this slowly over time. I need to break free from this cycle now so I can start rebuilding a healthier life: better housing, therapy, savings, dental care and access to gender-affirming treatment. With my current income, I can’t cover anything beyond my housing and a couple of other bills, leaving me with nothing to survive on for the rest of the month and unable to pay all of my expenses.

The Costs I'm Facing

Housing debt: $500

Insurance & government debt: $1,100

Banking debt: $2,500

Personal debt: $900

Dental care: $1,000*

Total: $6,000

*this isn’t debt that I currently have, but is an initial amount to help cover appointments, to work with a dentist on a course of action, to correcting my teeth. I havnt been to a dentist in 8 years and have dental concerns that are starting to cause me to worry.

Reaching this goal would give me the chance to finally find stability and keep going.

How You Can Help?

Donate: Every dollar truly makes a difference.

Share: Spreading this link helps reach more people who might be able to support.

Thank you so much for reading and for any help you can give.

Stephen (they/them)