Hi, I'm Talia (formerly Anthony/Tony Swanson). My life collapsed this fall; housing, health, education goals, loss of a pet, income, and safety all unraveled at once. I've been trying to hold everything together on grit alone, but I've reached the point where I genuinely cannot stabilize without help. This fundraiser is about securing safe housing, covering urgent medical and transition costs, and giving me the chance to finish school and rebuild my life.

I'm asking for support because the last few years have been a long chain of medical crises, caretaking responsibilities, and financial setbacks. Any one of these would be enough to derail someone. All of them together have pushed me past my limit.

I'm asking for support because, for the longest time, I told myself there would be a perfect time to ask for help, and the last few years have been a long chain of medical crises, caretaking responsibilities, and financial setbacks. Any one of these would be enough to derail someone. All of them together have pushed me past my limit, and I have now learned that the lesson: that "perfect, justifiable moment" doesn't exist.

In late 2025, everything hit at the same time:

• I lost stable housing

A long-term relationship ended, my support network shifted abruptly, and I've been living out of temporary spaces while trying to manage medical appointments, basic survival, and even a night in my own car. I'm working to secure stable housing in San Diego (preferably North County) so I can access health care and continue my education work to make sure my education dreams aren't squashed by this setback, but I can't close the gap alone because I've always said, "I love school, but school doesn't love me back."

• My ability to work collapsed under medical strain

I've spent years navigating chronic health problems: vision loss from keratoconus, connective-tissue issues, multiple shoulder surgeries, eye surgeries, slow healing, recurrent allergic reactions, and chronic health and injuries that require ongoing physical therapy. I've had to drop out of school twice because my body simply couldn't keep up.

• I'm transitioning without a stable foundation

HRT, laser, electrolysis, voice training, and basic gender-affirming care (GAC) are essential for me to live safely and function day to day. Insurance covers pieces, but not enough. Transition costs stack up fast, and when my life blew up, I lost the financial cushion that made these possible for me, for being me, for being happy.

• I've carried years of caretaking responsibilities

I spent the last four years caring for students, clients, family, while also caring for elderly pets with congenitive heart failure, diabetes, IBD, ulcers, and end-of-life needs. I was their full caretaker while juggling school and the medical instability of my own. Now, I recently lost my 18-year-old cat, Gyro. His passing occurred during the exact window when everything else was collapsing, and I never prolonged suffering or did anything unnecessary. I was there to make sure they lived in comfort, but it has left me emotionally and financially hollow. Both he and his sister got me up in the morning when I couldn't throughout my life, and I owe them so gratitude, I had to pay it back

• I'm navigating trauma and loss on top of everything else

Without going into details, I experienced a boundary-crossing incident from someone I trusted deeply. Processing that while managing housing and medical instability has pushed me far beyond my emotional bandwidth, which, in the moment of vulnerability and healing, has further disrupted my sense of safety.

I'm doing everything I can... applying for jobs, rebuilding my resume, working with career services, seeking safer medical care, and showing up to every appointment. But survival mode cannot be my whole life. I need stability to move forward.

What I Need Help Covering

These numbers come directly from my medical estimates and living expenses. Every dollar will go directly toward the following. I will post updates and remain transparent about how funding is used.

HOUSING & BASIC STABILITY

ONGOING MEDICAL CARE

TRANSITION-RELATED CARE

DENTAL

SCHOOL & PROFESSIONAL STABILITY

AUTOMOTIVE

PET CARE

What Your Support Makes Possible

Securing safe housing

Maintaining essential medical and transition care

Returning to school instead of dropping out every time my health collapses

Building enough breathing room to work again without falling apart

Regaining the life I've spent years trying to build

Feeling safe enough to take a deep breath and mourn the loss of my feline best friend

Closing

I've spent years holding everyone else—students, coworkers, animals, friends- while quietly falling apart. I've tried to handle everything on my own. I can't anymore. So please help support me so I can stabilize and go back to giving back and supporting others.

If you can contribute, share, or even just read this, thank you.

This is the first time in my life I'm asking for real help.

And it's the first time I'm choosing myself.

—Talia