On the night of October 21, my world turned upside down when I had to call 911 for my sibling, who was in the midst of a serious mental health crisis. For several days, they had been struggling, and despite our hopes that things would improve as they readjusted to their medication, their condition only worsened. They lost touch with reality, experiencing full-blown psychosis and periods of catatonia, unable to recognize themself, me, or even where they were. It was terrifying and heartbreaking to see someone I love so much become so lost. I stayed with them in the Emergency Room all night as doctors worked to rule out other causes and eventually moved them to the ER Psych unit. Each visit, I saw small signs of improvement, but they still couldn’t fully remember anything.

This crisis has deeply affected our household. My sibling and my partner both work at the same restaurant, and with my sibling unable to work, our main source of income has been drastically reduced. I am on disability and receive SSI once a month, and I also sell my artwork online, but it’s not enough to cover all our expenses. The timing of this emergency has disrupted our ability to pay rent, and now we are facing eviction unless we can pay what we owe, including court costs, by the end of the month. We also need to make sure we have December’s rent and can keep up with our bills and utilities while my sibling recovers.

We truly love our home and are doing everything we can to stay here. Knowing that my sibling’s job will be waiting for them if and when they’re ready to return gives us hope, but right now, we need help to get through this difficult time.

We are eternally grateful for any and all support.

Thank you for lighting the way out of the storm that surrounds us.

“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”

– Martin Luther King Jr

(photo taken at Wrightsville Beach, NC)